Leadership is Changing

In fact, according to Ludmila N. Praslova, PhD, we’re in the midst of a fundamental shift in leadership. Influence is the new power, and positional leaders have a lot to learn from activists and thought leaders.

Here are some highlights from a recent article published in Fast Company:

• Many examples of this new leadership don’t fit the stereotypical image of positional power.

• If the true goal of leadership is motivating people to achieve goals and effect change, the old model of using positional authority may never have been the most effective.

• Positional leaders who used to rely more on rewards and punishments must lead through referent, expert, and informational power, using purpose-centered inspiration while changing work organization to replace domination with the focus on wellbeing, outcomes, flexibility, and participation.

• To build on referent, expert, and informational power, leadership must center on shared purpose. This means uniting diverse people around a cause that intrinsically inspires them. Authentically uniting talent around a sense of purpose is increasingly the task of all leaders.

Ludmila N. Praslova, PhD, is a professor and director of Graduate Programs in Industrial-Organizational Psychology at Vanguard University of Southern California.