Great leadership is demonstrated through effective execution in the face of complexity and constant change. Leaders succeed—and get better—by bringing focus and self-awareness to each moment of decision and action. This is our life’s work: helping leaders make business strategies humanly possible.
Every industry is facing disruption. According to an recent study, 75% of today's S&P 500 firms will be gone or acquired by 2030. “Stable” power companies struggle to adapt to renewables. The auto industry is competing not just with Tesla, but with Google and Apple. Financial firms are threatened by widespread adoption of radically new ways to move money. Pharma consolidates while expanding globally—adjusting to biosimilars, new molecules and patent expirations worth billions. Retail fights for our attention selling experiences alongside products, while coping with relentless margin pressure. Health care seeks footing amidst politically-driven regulation, and now competes with new diagnostics and big data--increasingly in our own pockets. Software is indeed eating the world, as the digital transformation re-writes the rules of every industry. But the tech industry is also eating itself as the giants inhale start up talent and technology to extend their dominance, disrupt other industries, and burrow more deeply into our lives.
Survey after survey paints an alarming picture of the readiness of leaders to step up to these challenges. Predictably, companies are investing in their pipeline. However, the value of leadership development is as limited as the traditional education model upon which much of it is built. Even customized programs fall short when each leader's individual context is primary. What’s needed now are leadership development partners that are not only experienced “musicians”, but skilled “conductors" who can orchestrate insight from limitless sources. This includes your CEO, YouTube/TED talks, an app in your pocket, and especially your colleagues sitting across the table. Facilitators must also be skilled provocateurs, marshaling the focus and urgency that compel leaders and teams to act, while stretching themselves in powerful new ways. The unforgiving business landscape demands it.
Leadership Development is personal, even messy. And it's honed in the boiling cauldron of daily execution. We love it.
For more information about our point of view and approach, see Building Better Leaders.
