Adaptive Leadership in a VUCA World
`Leadership is a much used word and a popular topic to consider because it covers organizations and business sectors that exist for different purposes. A lot of leadership styles are being written, discussed and applied with guiding theories and principles. Some researchers suggest certain leadership styles for they are already proven through years. The question is, are we aware of the current trend or challenge brought about by the fast-changing pace of globalization? Don’t we realize that it’s now the right time to approach a world of Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity and Ambiguity (VUCA)? Indeed, this is the challenge we have to face in order to lead well in an unsteady world of work.
VUCA may sound new to some, but, it’s a phenomenon coined in the 1990s by the US military. Though it became popular in the armed forces and business organizations, it’s now being touched and considered by different sectors in our government. More than a year ago, “Leadership in a VUCA World” was discussed in one of our seminars as a concept to consider in articulating the thrusts of the department in preparing the current generation for future endeavors. This shows that today’s leaders need to change before drastic changes approach them. Being caught unprepared is surprising and without strategic insights in decision-making and implementation, failure will be the result.
I’m not saying that the leadership styles then are no longer applicable, because leading is applying varied techniques and strategies applicable in different situations. The premise here is addressing the “call of times” in a VUCA environment. According to Glowania (2017), traditional management methods no longer seem adequate to address the level and speed of change and increased pressure can mean leaders are unable to respond quickly or appropriately. Indeed, preparedness matters- that is, the need to have proper mindset and useful skills to navigate the complexity of leading at a lightning pace arena.
The time for authentic leadership has come. Leaders ready to embrace an unsteady world clearly determine the kind of VUCA leaders who will face the challenges of a volatile environment to effect changes. An authentic leader puts the interest of the organisation first (Mulder, 2019). This sounds easy to say but rare to be observed to some leaders. For me, an authentic leader is someone who leads with a sound “heart and mind”. Values should not be compromise despite the fact that the VUCA world requires flexible strategies or tactics to attain desired ends.
Traditional management might create risk to leaders who lack the courage to take risks because “the volume of change may no longer be addressed well with early leadership approaches. As we all know, there are lots of things to learn and new skills to apply for the battle cry of leading is “continuous improvement” regardless of time that we are all connected with. So, it’s simply advisable that we enter the leadership field with a sincere desire to work best and with an open mind to take fresh moves to do things differently for best results.
How to elevate the next breed of leaders is a global concern? Stepping forward with a common vision to nurture leaders of today and equipped leaders of tomorrow with relevant skills and emergent strategies is a way to build a solid foundation to the macro demands of VUCA leadership. Leading comprising VUCA 2.0 cited ways of leading anew- it refers to the counterpart of the acronym VUCA which refers to Vision, Understanding, Courage and Adaptability. This other concept inspires and creates positivity and if properly learned and practice in the workplace, beneficial societal impact will be gained and that promising and productive leadership is achievable in a VUCA world.