Leadership in a Decade of Challenges: Lessons from Global Events

As we navigate this much-anticipated decade, it becomes evident that leadership’s role is more crucial than ever. The years since 2020 have been marked by unforeseen challenges, from a global pandemic to economic turmoil, revealing both the potential strengths and shortcomings of leadership.

The Year 2020 with a 20/20 Vision

Hindsight, they say, is 20/20. This could not have been truer when we look back to the dawn of this decade.

As the world stood on the cusp of 2020, the nations brimmed with anticipation, holding high their projections of economic growth.

Global organizations meticulously assembled their analytical tools, aiming to calibrate the intricate socio-economic pulse of nations based on their forecasts. Families, too, held their own set of expectations, viewing the year 2020 as the temporal marker against which personal milestones and achievements would be measured.

Yet, as the clocks struck midnight on New Year’s Eve, the unforeseen descended upon the world with a swiftness that left the most prepared staggered and the projections shattered. The year 2020 was destined to be etched in history, not merely as a point for measurement, but as a time of unprecedented turmoil that would make apparent the profound impacts of leadership in ways no crystal ball could have predicted, not even those endowed with a 20/20 vision.

A year etched in history for its global upheaval, the impacts of leadership on individual lives have never been more pronounced. The world grappled with unforeseen challenges of the fast-approaching waves of a pandemic, quickly towering over and threatening the strongest of national economies and the healthcare sectors. The fear gradually became palpable as the spotlight intensified on leaders who bore the weight of navigating through these uncharted waters.

The nations witnessed the intricate interplay of leadership’s triumphs and failures. The self-serving leader saw an opportunity to impose fear, the attention-seeking ones seized the moment to exert their influence, adeptly weaving in displays of genuine empathy. In contrast, the responsible few embraced the weight of accountability, striving not for personal gain but for the betterment of the collective amid the tumultuous odyssey that lay ahead. It was within this tumult that the latter category of leaders looked beyond the corridors of politics, turning their attention into the domain of science and technology while they crafted policies to expedite innovative solutions.

Science and Technology Industry — A Champion and Catalyst for Change Amidst Layoffs

As the world grappled with the unprecedented challenges posed by the pandemic, the industry swiftly pivoted to action. The development of vaccines at an unprecedented pace showcased the remarkable feats that could be achieved through collaborative innovation and the convergence of scientific frontiers.

A New Paradigm in Work Cultures

Beyond the realm of medicine, technology played a multifaceted role in mitigating the disruptions caused by the pandemic. With remote work becoming the new norm, digital infrastructures were rapidly established to facilitate seamless communication and productivity. This shift not only ensured the continuity of businesses but also revolutionized work cultures, blurring geographical boundaries and redefining the traditional office setup.

However, while the tech industry soared to new heights in some aspects, it experienced its share of turbulence as well. The rapid hiring that followed the demand for tech solutions was soon marred by an equally rapid wave of layoffs. The oscillating nature of the industry, often driven by market fluctuations and investor sentiments, led to the unfortunate reality of job insecurity for many. The juxtaposition of rapid hiring and massive layoffs underscored the volatility inherent in the industry and the challenges faced by both employees and employers in maintaining stability amidst uncertainty.

The science and technology industry’s pivotal role in propelling progress, from spearheading medical breakthroughs to reshaping work paradigms, highlights its adaptability and transformative potential. However, the dichotomy of growth and layoffs serves as a stark reminder of the need for a balanced approach, where the benefits of innovation are harnessed responsibly, ensuring the well-being of the workforce and the industry’s sustainable evolution.

As the science and technology industry relentlessly advanced, forging a path of innovation and transformation, a very contrasting narrative emerged within the realm of political leadership. Instead of riding the waves of change through the same adaptive and transformative approach, a chaotic narrative emerged in the global leadership arena.

Leadership in Flux: Failures and Impacts

Just like a blacksmith diligently forging new tools for a modern era, technology was focused on reshaping the intricacies of progress with innovations, while politicians emulated a temporary fix, printing hard currencies and distributing them among the public. Although a measure of quantitative easing may have been necessary to mitigate the financial blowback of a precarious job market, it quickly transitioned into a political score point and an argument of left vs. right, vax vs. anti-vax in the corridors of power.

Soon enough, the attendant effect of inflation, a flaming hot unregulated and extorting housing market, or in fact, a looming global recession, alongside the politically-driven policies that broke the public’s trust, swept across the nations. Like a disinterested observer watching from afar as the flames of crisis engulfed the landscape, the extremely corrupt leadership in the developing nations, as in several African countries — from the north to the south, from the east to the west— deprived their people of resources for livelihood or trade, pushing many down the economic scale into abject poverty. The negative impacts were indeed terribly aggravated on the people in these parts of the world.

“The Art” of Name Calling and Blame Shifting

Like a hurricane that leaves destruction in its wake, the impacts of incompetent leadership were felt across the world, even in Western nations.

For instance, the United Kingdom faced instability with frequent changes in prime ministers. Some blamed the former Prime Minister David Cameron for calling the referendum in the first place, while others blamed the opposition leader in favor of a campaign for Remain. In the United States, blame-shifting and divisive rhetoric hindered effective responses to the pandemic. Canada exhibited similar trends, with leadership playing the blame game while failing to address pressing issues effectively. In fact, Toronto Sun in reference to the prime minister, calls his blame game an “art form”.

The question is: what should we expect from a responsible leader, especially during a period of crisis?

Attributes of Great Leaders

In times of crisis, great leaders exhibit visionary mindsets, courage, and empathy. Vision enables leaders to navigate uncertainty while courage translates vision into reality. Empathy, tempered with decisiveness, fosters understanding, helping leaders address challenges while maintaining humility. The combination of these three — vision, courage and empathy — ensures the engagement of followership without resorting to coercion, manipulation, or force.

Although it is not unusual for followers to blame the leaders in the aftermath of severe challenges, it’s important to note that a measure of the fault is also shared by the followers.

The Role of Followership and Accountability

Leadership and followership are interconnected. Except in a dictatorship, corrupt or nepotistic societies, followers are responsible for the choice of the leaders. Followers must appraise leaders based on their qualifications, records, and vision. Effective leaders take responsibility for their actions, acknowledging failures as opportunities for growth. Accountability is essential for maintaining credibility and driving positive change.

Since the same leaders whose poor decisions measure out havoc, are also responsible for the roadmap out of the precarious situations in their societies, it becomes more imperative to hold leaders to a high accountability factor, especially political and global leaders, as we chart a path for the near future.

Cultivating Effective Leaders

Confronting present challenges requires leaders who think beyond personal interests, political or socio-cultural preferences and affiliations. We must cultivate leaders who are accountable, decisive, and visionary, capable of uniting communities, nations, and the world. Leadership’s significance cannot be overstated; it shapes our future and defines our response to global challenges.

Final Thoughts

The challenges faced since the beginning of this decade underscore the critical role of leadership in responding to the unpredictable. Whether in managing a team or a company, managing global crises or guiding economies through uncertainty, leadership shapes outcomes. The shortcomings of leadership expose the urgent need for individuals who possess the attributes necessary to navigate complex issues and lead with integrity. In this era of transformation, our collective future depends on the quality of our leaders and the vigilance of their followers.

You can also watch my monologue on the same topic.