The coronavirus crisis is a true leadership test. It's the time for leaders best suited to a disruptive, unpredictable future to emerge. For these are the kinds of people who will be able to lead their organisations and our society through uncertain times.
A crunch can reveal who these leaders are. They may be someone least expected for the role. Keep an eye on them. They are the "leaders of the future".
What should we look for?
- Leaders of the disrupted world must be far-sighted. They look at the situation from every angle and try to foresee future impacts. They think positively. They look for opportunities even in the depths of the bleakest crisis. They don't hesitate to question themselves or their own plans to challenge their organisations or society to come up with even better ideas.
- The future leaders are eager people. They are observant and resourceful enough to apply what they've seen or experienced to improve themselves or society. They keep abreast of societal movements and pick what is useful for their organisations, such as the use of new communications technology.
- Look for people who can "dance'' along with volatile situations. These are people who often review their work and are always ready to adapt to new realities or assumptions. They are not easily discouraged. They are not stuck in their ways.
- They come to their bosses or colleagues with solutions and options, not questions. And the solutions from "leaders of the future'' usually come complete with analysis about possible scenarios and consequences.
- Natural leaders naturally draw people to them. They convince friends and colleagues to come together and work to find the best way forward for the group. They focus on teamwork.
- They are full of charitable spirit. They care for society at large, the environment and people around them. They have a strong sense of empathy. They are not too shy to show they care. They don't play it safe because they are afraid to be wrong. They don't seek to claim credit.
A crisis is almost always a painful time but it is also a testing ground for future leaders to shine through. Have you detected any? If you do, embrace them.
More importantly, boost their morale. More often than not, these future leaders stand apart from others. They think differently so some of their ideas may be rejected. They also risk being seen as outcasts.
But these lonely warriors are heralds of what real leadership means when faced with an uncertain future. Give them a chance to change us and change the world so that a better tomorrow will be on the horizon.
Kulvech Janvatanavit is CEO of the Thai Institute of Directors Association (IOD).