After more than decade of studying leadership, I recently came across the concept of Generative Leadership. The word generative eloquently sums up how I believe leadership should be in this century. It’s no longer about command and control but rather about inspiring and empowering.
In today's rapidly evolving world, the role of leadership is more crucial than ever. With the advancement of technology, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI), leaders are presented with a unique opportunity to leverage AI to drive innovation and accelerate growth. Generative leadership, a concept that focuses on creating a positive and innovative culture within an organization, plays a key role in harnessing the power of AI.
Generative leadership, similar to AI, is centered around the idea of creating something new, innovative, and transformative. Just as AI can analyze massive amounts of data to uncover valuable insights, generative leadership empowers individuals to think creatively, solve complex problems, and drive positive change. By fostering a culture of creativity, collaboration, and continuous learning, generative leaders can unlock the full potential of AI within their organizations.
However, despite the immense potential of AI, we cannot fully leverage its capabilities until we strengthen our leadership. Effective leaders play a crucial role in guiding their teams, setting strategic direction, and creating a culture that encourages experimentation and learning. Without strong leadership, organizations may struggle to effectively implement AI technologies and realize their full benefits.
How can we become generative leaders?
Mindset: We start with the assumption that our people have untapped potential. We need to let go of our judgements and focus on bringing out all they have to offer. This is integral. Our thoughts are demonstrated in our behaviours and our behaviours influence our relationships and our relationships effect our results. If we want great results, we must start with the mindset that our people are highly capable.
Self-awareness: Leaders have tremendous impact on their teams, positive and negative. If we’re truly concerned about the performance and wellness of employees, we must first look at ourselves and understand how our behaviours influence them. Think about the best boss you ever had and what effect that had on you. Now consider the worst boss and the impact they had on you. Leadership behaviours directly influence employees and results.
Demonstrate behaviours that bring out the best in others: Behaviours like empathy, coaching, trust, candor, communication are all things leaders must consistently demonstrate. Furthermore, they need to nurture psychological safety, which creates an environment where employees are not afraid to speak up, identify potential problems, offer new ideas and try new things.
I've seen a lot of content about how to leverage AI but I believe Generative leadership and AI go hand in hand, offering organizations a powerful combination to drive innovation and success. By embracing generative leadership principles and leveraging AI technologies, leaders can unlock new opportunities, drive growth, and create a culture of continuous improvement and innovation. Together, generative leadership and AI have the potential to revolutionize the way organizations operate, paving the way for a brighter and more sustainable future.