Rethinking Leadership in a New Reality: Embracing Compassion and Emotional Intelligence

The events of 2020 have made one thing abundantly clear: our world is deeply interconnected and vulnerable. The pandemic has challenged the notion of “business as usual” and exposed the fragility of our systems. It has become evident that we need a new kind of leadership to navigate this increasingly complex world.

Now is the time to demand more from our leaders. We must ask ourselves: What kind of leaders do we need for the future? What skills should they possess? It is clear that the traditional leadership qualities we have valued in the past are no longer sufficient.

Gone are the days of the “tough guy” or the “know-it-all” leader. These leaders have shown their fallibility and shortcomings. We need a different type of leader—one who is compassionate and emotionally intelligent.

Here are six essential qualities that future leaders must prioritize:

1. Passionate: The leaders of the “New Normal” will be driven by intense enthusiasm. Their passion will enhance commitment, efficiency, and team success. Passionate leaders inspire those around them and consider their work a true passion, not just a job.
2. Persistent: In the face of challenges and obstacles, leaders must persevere. Persistence is about continuing a course of action despite difficulties. Leaders need the courage to pursue their goals, even when faced with greater challenges along the way.
3. Systems Thinkers: Future leaders must understand the bigger picture. They should grasp how individuals fit within departments and how these departments overlap for effective teamwork. Leaders must recognize that everything is connected and that their choices and priorities have far-reaching implications.
4. Intellectually Honest: Leaders must be intellectually honest and avoid peddling misinformation. Collaboration is crucial in today’s complex and connected industries, and it requires transparency and honesty. Future leaders should provide useful and correct information, fostering an environment of trust and collaboration.
5. Intellectually Humble: Humility is a key quality for leaders in the “New Normal.” Leaders must be open to change and willing to listen to others. They should be self-aware of their own knowledge and receptive to different views and sources of evidence. Being intellectually humble allows leaders to unlock the full potential of their teams.
6. Empathy: It is increasingly impossible to isolate oneself from those who are different. Future leaders must be empathetic, understanding, and respectful of others’ situations and feelings. They should address the root causes of problems, including systemic injustice and inequality, to create a more inclusive and fair society.

Leaders who embody these qualities have the power to motivate individuals and teams. They inspire action and foster teamwork, unifying different functions around a shared objective. These leaders challenge the traditional concept of all-knowing, all-powerful leaders and instead act as connectors and facilitators.

Imagine a world where every leader is a systems thinker, intellectually honest, humble, and empathetic. It may seem like a fantasy, but it is a vision worth striving for. By speaking up, sharing this desire for change, and embodying these qualities ourselves, we can shape the future together.

The “New Normal” requires leaders who believe in the beauty of their dreams and are willing to take action. Let us embrace compassion and emotional intelligence in our leadership, both during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. Only then can we create a future that is truly transformative.