A latest book launched titled as – The Practice of Adaptive Leadership: Tools and Tactics from Changing your Organization and the World- talks about the virtues of honest and strong leadership. It also talks about corporates’ role in major societal transformations. Citing the example of Coca-Cola taken from another accompanying book, thisone talks about how the then president of the company, aligned the beverage giant to the cause of Martin Luther King Jnr’s civil rights movement. King had just won the Nobel Prize in Oslo, but on the way back had angered some local business communities, so his felicitation ceremony in Atlanta was set to be a no-go. Woodruff realized how embarrassing this would be for the city and his company, so he subtly communicated his support for the ceremony. This in turn led to a turnout well above that anticipated. Woodruff knew the people at the firm in and out, so he was able to excel at talent management. His initiative led to the assertion of moral superiority. Such strong but morally correct leadership is most desired at times of transformation such as the world is going through now in the digital age.

Source:https://www.strategy-business.com/article/ac00033?gko=6015d

Uploaded Date:06 February 2018

A book recently penned by Adam Kahane – Power and Love: A Theory and Practice of Social Change- explores the complicated and often synergetic relationship between love and power. He quotes Martin Luther King Jnr. in stating that one without the other is pointless. This is something business leaders must practice especially at times of crisis or transformation. The writer has observed this trends in both business and non-for-profit situations from his vantage point of being a partner at management consulting firm Reos Partners. Some of his ideas were adopted by the government of South Africa in the early 1990s at a time of great transformation. President Nelson Mandela wanted to integrate the country’s diverse racial groups in a way which later became known as the Mont Fleur Scenarios named after a conference center in Cape Town. On further introspection though it was realized, that basing transformation purely on human harmony is not always feasible, so a middle pathhas been devised.

Source:https://www.strategy-business.com/article/00066?gko=521f0

Uploaded Date:06 February 2018

A lot of present leadership challenges being observed can be tackled by maxims suggested by legendary economist Adam Smith more than two centuries back. Considered the first modern economist, Smith inculcated a lot of his ideas through observation of practices on factory floors in Glasgow at the peak of the city’s commercial fame. However, he was also an advocate of ethical practices, so spoke against the harsh treatments meted out to Native Americans, Africans and Indians by his fellow Europeans. One could argue that he wrote amongst the first treatises on talent management when he spoke against business leaders who would move employees around like pieces on a chessboard. He felt that this attitude of knowing best of others’ interests arrived out of deep hubris. He also spoke about a keen sense of self-awareness, by warning against the ill-effects of corruption stating the instance of the British East India Company as an example. Business benefits need to be maximized while mitigating harmful social costs.

Source:https://www.strategy-business.com/article/The-Problem-of-Virtuous-Leadership?gko=561fa

Uploaded Date:19 January 2018

Business leaders have traditionally been advised to weed out any vulnerabilities within them. In case, it remains incurable, this vulnerability must not emerge out in the open. The term has always been used in negative connotations for business news headlines. Yet, a recent study by Emma Seppala claims that instead of hiding them, business leaders would be well advised to demonstrate their vulnerabilities in the open. Business research conducted by the Macquarie Graduate School of Management in Australia proves that such behavior inspires teams. Hiding information also goes against the principle of authenticity. Greater bonds are also fostered within the ranks by showing the true self. And unlike the usually held belief, team members tend to feel hopeful, not fearful, in front of vulnerable leaders.

Source:https://www.strategy-business.com/blog/The-Strength-of-Vulnerable-Leaders?gko=5ff21

Uploaded Date:19 January 2018