This archive report was first published on 22 June 2020.
Leaders in today's world face a daunting challenge: remaining relevant in the face of rapid change and disruption.
As a seasoned coach, I've seen many leaders struggle with this issue, and it's a theme that resonates with me personally.
Years ago, I wrote a book titled 'Help! My Chocolate is Melting,' which tells the story of a wealthy prince who commissions a house made of chocolate. The project begins in winter, but when summer arrives, the house starts to melt.
This is a metaphor for many leaders today, who are stuck in their ways and unable to adapt to changing circumstances. They become victims of their own unpreparedness, facing the threat of irrelevance.
Relevance is the key to effective leadership. It's about being able to resonate with all involved, from team members to consumers. Many intelligent leaders have failed because they've been unable to connect with the people they lead.
As a leader, your policies and style must resonate with your team, and your product or service must resonate with consumers. It's not just about being intelligent; it's about being able to communicate your vision in a way that's understood by everyone.
I recall a story from my past, where I would run my presentations by my five-year-old daughter to ensure they were clear and concise. If she remembered the key points, I knew my audience would get it.
Today, technology has made cars more sophisticated, but it's also made their functionality and operations simpler. The same principle applies to leadership: the more intelligent you are, the simpler your communication should be.
Ultimately, your level of value is determined by the people whose opinion of you has a direct impact on your progress. Relevance is about aligning your senses and operations to present-day realities, and it's the key to staying ahead in a rapidly changing world.
— Wale Akinyemi, Chief Transformation Officer, PowerTalks
