To say that everything is changing at a rapid pace would be an understatement. Michael Simmons, the Google Director of Engineering, tells us:
20 years from now, the rate of change will be 4x what is now. Said differently, for someone who is about 40 today, when they’re 60 in 2040, the rate of paradigm change will be 4x what it is now. They will experience a year of change (by today’s standards) in three months. For someone who is 10 today, when they’re 60, they’ll experience a year of change in 11 days.
Michael Simmons
As we evolve biologically so do our ideas. You can read more about this here.
As we evolve as do leadership models. There is a difference between old paradigm models of leadership, which involve ideas such as ‘influencing’ others. And newer paradigm models relate to visionary or charismatic leaders. Transformational leadership, where a leader inspires and motivates their teams without micro-managing is a more modern concept.
A leadership consultancy known as Development Dimensions International (DDI) published a list of leadership trends for 2024 that you may find helpful. This year the word that emerges is ‘trust’. I’d like to share highlights from this list for you.
1. AI Concerns: AI is causing many employees to be concerned about the stability and future of their jobs. Leaders will need to deepen trust with regards to their organisation’s use of AI.
2. Return to Office: Many organisations are now demanding a return to the office of their workforce. DDI’s research found a 22% increase in trust in senior leaders when working remotely. Employers will need to trust that work can be conducted as efficiently when working remotely in order to inspire trust.
3. Representation & DEI: There has been a drop in representation of women in leadership and DEI efforts in general since 2020, with many leaders made bold committments which were not honoured.
Looking forward we believe forward-thinking companies will make larger efforts to integrate DEI into everything they do, including leadership training.
Stephanie Neal, DDI
4. Psychological Safety: Leaders should create a psychologically safe culture that encourages empathy, respect and curiosity amongst employees as they relate to the political environment around the world.
As we continue to change rapidly, holding on to what makes us human matters most.