Morehouse College focuses on 21st Century!
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Posted By: Jehan Bunch on June 20, 2006 Excerpts from the Morehouse College Career Guide ON BECOMING A 21ST CENTURY LEADER With the coming of the 21st century comes the globalization of our economy. The global economy will see communities with complex needs, demanding strong, committed individuals to rise to the call of leadership in all areas of society. Chapter 1 presents a model for effective 21st century leadership for the corporate world. A MODEL FOR THE 21ST CENTURY LEADER The 21st century leader model will define a leader as someone who has an acumen for human relationship as well as business. The idea of the human factor playing a pivotal role in the makeup of the 21st century leader is based on the definition of leadership—the process of influencing an organized group toward accomplishing a goal (Roach & Behting, 1984). The effectiveness of one's influence can be traced to the human factor-proficiency in the human side of business displayed by consideration for the organization's stakeholders, as well as society as a whole. Leadership and the human factor are packaged and presented to one's public through professionalism, the third element in the 21st century leader model. In the 70's and 80's, before the onslaught of global competition, fueled by gigantic leaps in technological know-how, an executive could keep his company afloat and even ahead simply through power-clout to make decisions with the stroke of a pen. But the competitively charged 90's, filled with corporate downsizing and globalization, has been a harbinger for the reality of doing business in the 21st century. In addition, employees today are intraprenuerial in spirit and skill set. The technological skills acquired by 21st century workers are transferable throughout companies, industries and even countries—a mobile skill set. This type of employee tends to respond better to influence than power. To be competitive in the 21st century, an executive will need influence—a vision that inspires people to shed their doubts and follow his lead, an ability to connect with people and shape the way they look at their work, workplace and world (Lacayo, 1996). Without influence, an executive's power dies out at the end of its own channels of command. Executives will need to gain assent, not just obedience, to have imitators not just subordinators. The 21st century leader cannot be satisfied by getting people to do things his way. He needs them to see things his way too—the art of influence. A leader's influence is directly tied to the human factor—the ability to understand and deal sensitively with the human elements of an organization. In reality, that's all an organization is—a network of people—employees and their families, customers, shareholders, suppliers and the communities in which the company does business. The success or failure of these groups determines the success or failure of the organization. Without genuine concern for the human side of business, it will be extremely difficult for the 21 st century executive to sustain and grow an organization. The 21st century leader must master the synergistic power of leadership, professionalism and the human factor. Through this triad, the leader can build an organizational culture whose goals include positive leadership—making a contribution to/for human dignity (White, 1995). This goal should be the ultimate aim for the corporate players in the 21st century global marketplace. A 21st Century Leader Model The 21st Century Leader must possess... * LEADERSHIP The process of influencing an organized group toward accomplishing its goals. When the goal is service, the process is called positive leadership. POSITIVE LEADERSHIP is accomplished by individuals with a specific set of traits, skills and behaviors that may vary in degree of intensity depending upon the situation. SERVICE is making a contribution to/for human dignity. * PROFESSIONALISM Your personal image demonstrated by your attitudes and behavioral characteristics. The outward display of your leadership and human factor skills through Appearance, Body Language and Communication. The goal of Professionalism is to be Appropriate, Believable and Credible. * THE HUMAN FACTOR Proficiency in the human side of business through attitudes and abilities, resulting in the ability to influence others. The emotional strength and interpersonal skills to understand, care for and get along with many different types of people. THE P.I.E. THEORY Another explanation of the importance of the human factor is the P. I.E. Theory. The P.I.E. Theory states—Performance is required and expected; Image determines your level of acceptance or rejection; Exposure enables you to be promoted and rewarded. Exposure entails your ability to be known by and relate to the organization's network of stakeholders. This sphere of influence is required and expected of senior level persons. Junior level persons must ascend to this level of exposure in order to have a sphere of influence which will be able to move them into the senior positions. But without top performance and the right image, no exposure will get you and keep you in a senior position. The accompanying article, "Making a Career Choice and Landing the Right Job", Ebony Man 1995, discusses the P.I.E, Theory. In addition, Chapter 5, Winning at the Corporate Game, gives specific strategies as to how you can blend performance, image and exposure into a winning formula for success in the corporate world. To see chapters 1-6 visit: http://www.morehouse.edu/Intranet/careerse... 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Jehan Bunch
From Columbus, OH Central State University class of 2005 Member Since January 2006 |
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