leadership in the 21st century
DESCRIPTION
Students of the Erasmus University Rotterdam, in collaboration with consultancy firm Squarewise, conducted a study that maps the interaction between leadership and the change that characterizes the 21st century. Three trends emerged to characterize this change: internationalization, horizontalization and technologization. The trends were validated using interviews with an international selection of leaders.TRANSCRIPT
International Business Project
Leadership in the 21st century An international study on leadership and related trends
December 2011
Coaches: Squarewise BV (Anouk van der Have, Dirk Bijl de Vroe), RSM Erasmus University (Alex van der Zwart)
RSM Erasmus University
Team: Mohit Ahuja, Amanda Bachmann, Juhee Jang, Nóra Stancsics, Yingzhi Su
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Squarewise
• The client:
RSM Erasmus University
Strategy consulting firm focusing on innovation and passionate about sustainability.
Conclusion Analysis Leadership & trends Introduction
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Research question
What are the main characteristics of leadership to successfully cope with the trends in the 21st century?
RSM Erasmus University
1. What is leadership? What are the main characteristics of leadership?
2. What are the trends in the 21st century? How can leadership adapt to these trends?
3. Do leaders of different fields have different opinions?
4. Are there any generational differences?
Conclusion Analysis Leadership & trends Introduction
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Desk research
Interviews with leaders
Student survey
Analysis
Qualitative methods to gain a holistic view and new insights.
3 months elapsed time
• Clear understanding of both leadership
and the trends
Objective • Identify trends and important leadership characteristics
• Comparison between leaders and students
Output • Description of leadership and trends
• Summaries, consolidated data
• Validation of the trends and leadership characteristics
Research process flow RSM Erasmus University
Formulation of ques-tionnaire
Analysis template
Conclusion Analysis Leadership & trends Introduction
Results about trends and key characteristics
of a leader
Leaders
• Different fields (corporate, political and role-model leaders) • Different nations • 16 interviews
Students
• Future leaders, university students,
mostly between 18-25 • Different nations • 93 respondents
RSM Erasmus University Methodology – two viewpoints
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RSM Erasmus University International study
Conclusion Analysis Leadership & trends Introduction
Leaders
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16 interviews of political, corporate and role-
model leaders from five countries
Students
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93 survey responses from more than five different
countries
Conclusion Analysis Leadership & trends Introduction
8 Source: Own figure based on Maxwell, 1999 & Northhouse, 2010
RSM Erasmus University
Leadership triangle and leader characteristics
Character
Charisma Commitment
Communication
Competence
Courage
Discernment Focus
Generosity
Initiative
Listening
Passion
Positive attitude
Problem solving
Relationships
Responsibility Confidence
Self-discipline
Servant hood
Teachability
Vision
Establishing direction
Aligning people Motivating and inspiring people
Conclusion Analysis Leadership & trends Introduction
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RSM Erasmus University Three trends given by the client
Technologization
Globalization
Horizontalization
Conclusion Analysis Leadership & trends Introduction
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RSM Erasmus University Technologization
• Application of practical sciences to industry or
commerce
• Ubiquity of technology
• Human knowledge
• Networks
Structure of work will change
Conclusion Analysis Leadership & trends Introduction
Globalization RSM Erasmus University
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• The world is getting smaller
• Third period of globalization: individuals, who utilize the
new global platform and develop new skills, will be the
crucial force to drive globalization
• Problems caused by globalization
Glocalization
Conclusion Analysis Leadership & trends Introduction
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RSM Erasmus University Horizontalization
• Hierarchical levels in societies and organizations are
no longer valid
• Weakening of vertical authority and decentralizing of
decision making processes
Equal access to information and knowledge
Conclusion Analysis Leadership & trends Introduction
RSM Erasmus University
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Analysis of • Trends
• Functions of a leader
• Characteristics of a leader
• Characteristics of future leaders
Conclusion Analysis Leadership & trends Introduction
Three trends of the 21st century RSM Erasmus University
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Horizontalization 1.
2.
3.
Globalization
Technologization
Conclusion Analysis Leadership & trends Introduction
Additional trends RSM Erasmus University
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Sustainability / Ecology 1.
2.
3.
4.
Changes in the value
systems and attitudes
Demographic change
Social networking Customization / Individualism
Informatization Power shift among countries
Leaders Students
Conclusion Analysis Leadership & trends Introduction
Functions of a leader RSM Erasmus University
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LEADER Visionary and producer of change
Establishing direction
• Create big picture • Set strategies
Aligning people
• Communicate goals • Seek commitment • Build teams and coalitions
Motivating and inspiring people • Satisfy unmet needs • Empower subordinates • Empathetic behaviour • Question status quo
LEADER Visionary and producer of change
Establishing direction • Create big picture • Set strategies
Aligning people
• Communicate goals • Seek commitment • Build teams and coalitions
Motivating and inspiring people • Satisfy unmet needs
• Empower subordinates • Empathetic behaviour • Question status quo
Leaders Students
Conclusion Analysis Leadership & trends Introduction
Top 6 leadership characteristics RSM Erasmus University
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1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Listening
Vision
Teachability
Initiative
Relationships
Competence
Leaders Students
Communication Communication
Listening
Vision
Discernment Relationships
Conclusion Analysis Leadership & trends Introduction
Leadership characteristics for future leaders RSM Erasmus University
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1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Focus on cooperation
Open-mindedness
Teachability & Adaptability
Authencity
Risk taking
Teachability & Adaptability
Leaders Students
Relationships Focus on social skills
Leader as a servant
Global perspective
Open-mindedness Global perspective
Conclusion Analysis Leadership & trends Introduction
RSM Erasmus University Insights: leaders and students
Leaders
Students
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Character
Charisma Commitment
Communication
Competence
Courage
Discernment Focus
Generosity
Initiative
Listening
Passion
Positive attitude
Problem solving
Relationships
Responsibility Confidence
Self-discipline
Servant hood
Teachability
Vision
Establishing direction
Aligning people Motivating and inspiring people
Conclusion Analysis Leadership & trends Introduction
RSM Erasmus University Insights: leaders
Role-model
Corporate
Political
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Students
Conclusion Analysis Leadership & trends Introduction
Leaders
Establishing direction
Aligning people Motivating and inspiring people
Character
Charisma Commitment
Communication
Competence
Courage
Discernment Focus
Generosity
Initiative
Listening
Passion
Positive attitude
Problem solving
Relationships
Responsibility Confidence
Self-discipline
Servant hood
Teachability
Vision
RSM Erasmus University Conclusion
What are the main characteristics of leadership to successfully cope with the trends in the 21st century?
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RSM Erasmus University Validation of the three trends
The three trends
Horizontalization Globalization Technologization
have been identified as highly important in the 21st century.
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RSM Erasmus University
Leadership characteristics for the 21st century
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Communication Listening Vision Relationships Teachability &
Adaptability
Global Perspective
Open-mindedness
Conclusion Analysis Leadership & trends Introduction
Communication
Listening
Vision
Relationships
Thank you for your attention!
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