219. How leadership is changing for a changing world
Sep 27, 2024
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Kurt Strovink and Ramesh Srinivasan, both senior partners and coauthors of a new McKinsey book, are joined by Hans-Werner Kaas and Dana Maor. They explore how leadership is transforming in a fast-paced world, emphasizing empathy, humility, and continuous learning. The conversation highlights the inspiring leadership journey of Feeding America’s CEO amidst crisis, the importance of mentorship, and the balance between stress and resilience. They advocate for a more human-centric approach to nurture effective leaders and healthier organizational cultures.
Humility in leadership fosters a supportive team environment, encouraging creativity and collaboration while promoting ongoing learning and growth.
The evolving demands on leaders necessitate a focus on personal growth and emotional awareness to navigate complex challenges effectively.
Deep dives
The Role of Humility in Leadership
Humility is considered a key trait for effective leadership, as it encourages growth and creates a high-chemistry environment within teams. Strong leaders often approach problem-solving assertively but remain humble regarding the final answers, demonstrating a soft yet firm leadership style. This humility not only fosters a supportive team atmosphere but also encourages creativity and collective discovery. By embodying this trait, leaders can inspire those around them to also embrace a mindset of ongoing learning and collaboration.
Adaptation to a Changing World
The demands on leaders are evolving rapidly, requiring a shift in how they approach their roles and responsibilities. Leadership effectiveness is more important than ever, as organizations with top leaders can see significantly greater returns and market valuations. However, many leaders feel unprepared when transitioning into new roles and struggle with burnout due to increasing pressures. The challenges posed by automation and geopolitical issues further complicate the leadership landscape, necessitating a proactive and adaptable approach.
Essential Skills for Modern CEOs
Successful CEOs are increasingly focusing on developing not just a to-do list but a to-be list, which emphasizes personal growth and emotional awareness in their leadership roles. This duality requires leaders to hold multiple perspectives, fostering empathy while also setting a vision for their organizations. The pandemic has pushed many leaders towards a more human-centered approach, emphasizing the importance of connection and vulnerability. By cultivating skills like empathy, resilience, and continuous learning, leaders can better navigate their complex roles.
Balancing Inner and Outer Leadership
Leaders need to cultivate an inner game of self-awareness and personal growth alongside their outer game of effectively leading teams and organizations. Creating reflective spaces and seeking candid feedback from trusted advisors can help leaders manage the stresses of their positions. Micro habits, which are small, consistent actions that foster growth, play a crucial role in this dual approach. Exceptional leaders demonstrate a balance between being professional and being authentic, leveraging their unique experiences to inspire those around them.
This week, we’re joined by senior partners Kurt Strovink and Ramesh Srinivasan, coauthors, along with Hans-Werner Kaas and Dana Maor, of a new McKinsey book, The Journey of Leadership: How CEOs Learn to Lead from the Inside Out. It is the first-ever look behind the curtain at McKinsey’s step-by-step approach to helping leaders transform both professionally and personally. It introduces a new, more human-centric approach that is helping some of the best leaders achieve results by cultivating humility, confidence, vulnerability, and resilience in themselves and others.