9 Effective Leadership Trends to Look for in 2023
What type of leader will you be in 2023?
Staying current with the latest leadership trends and best practices is essential for founders, CEO’s and leaders at all levels looking to inspire, support and enable their teams and organisations towards success. In today’s fast-paced and constantly changing world, it is more important than ever for leaders to be adaptable, authentic, and purpose-driven in order to effectively lead and motivate their teams.
Here are nine leadership trends focused on the how of leadership more than the what. Reflect on and explore these to unlock your leadership potential this year. Although these are nine distinct approaches, each one links to the others, so whichever one you choose to explore will ultimately lead you on a journey through all nine trends:
1. Emotional leadership
Emotional intelligence is a crucial leadership skill that allows individuals to effectively recognise and manage their own emotions as well as the emotions of those around them. As Daniel Goleman, the renowned author of "Emotional Intelligence," explains, “The most effective leaders share one common characteristic: they all possess a high level of emotional intelligence.”
By cultivating their emotional intelligence, leaders can strengthen their communication skills, build deeper relationships, and cultivate a positive and productive work environment. The emotional leader inspires, supports, and motivates with ease.
2. Authentic leadership
Authenticity allows individuals to be genuine and true to themselves. As Brené Brown, a leading expert on leadership and authenticity, explains, “Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of societal expectations and embracing one's true self.”
By being authentic, leaders can establish trust and credibility with their team, creating a more positive and inclusive work environment. In addition, authentic leaders are more likely to inspire loyalty and commitment from their team members, leading to increased motivation and productivity.
3. Inclusive leadership
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are essential qualities for any modern organisation looking to thrive in today's globalised world. According to Deloitte's Global Human Capital Trends report, “DEI actions should be in service of achieving equitable outcomes in the workforce—and broader society—while boosting an organization’s innovation, competitiveness, and long-term business success.”
Being an inclusive leader is more than just diversifying your team - it’s creating a sense of belonging for each and every team member. By fostering an inclusive culture, leaders can tap into the unique perspectives and ideas of their team members, leading to increased creativity and innovation.
4. Flexible leadership
The COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally changed the way we work, with many organisations now embracing remote work and flexible scheduling. In fact, a survey by