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The transformational leaders we need to help organizations navigate the modern, rapidly evolving, fast paced, hypercompetitive global environment, all face the same four leadership challenges. They must develop and display proficiency in the specific leadership competencies required to be successful in the future.

Sense Making & Sense Shaping

Contextual Intelligence (CQ)

Is the ability to sense subtle shifts in the environment, to become aware of those changes before anyone else, and to predict their likely implication going forward.

The transformational leader of the future needs to:

  • Connect – the dots, so others can more easily understand the emerging reality
  • Read – the faint signals from the periphery, which suggest the nature of the changes to come
  • Eliminate – the background noise, distraction and excuses which get in the way of ensuring a unified view

Leaders who possess this competency are able to help their organizations make sense of the future.

Strategic Intelligence (SQ)

Is the ability to have deep insight into the issues, clear foresight as to how things will play out and the peripheral vision necessary to avoid nasty surprises.

The transformational leader of the future needs to:

  • Reveal – the gaps, distortions and misconceptions which get in the way of the truth
  • Abandon – the mindsets, processes and paradigms that no longer work or don’t make sense
  • Plant – the transformational stake in the ground and inspire others to join in achieving the objective

Leaders who possess this competency are able to help their organizations position themselves for the future.

Credibility & Judgement

Emotional Intelligence (EQ)

Is the ability to know yourself, manage yourself and build effective relationships with others. It is understanding the emotional tone and motivations of others.

The transformational leader of the future needs to:

  • Commit – the entire organization, and its leaders, to a people first philosophy
  • Link – diverse people and personalities together in a way that harnesses their potential
  • Relate – to the needs, wants, fears and aspirations of people, and help them on their own journey

Leaders who possess this competency are able to help their organizations be open, tolerant and more human in the future.

Decision Making Intelligence (DMQ)

Is the ability to frame problems, resolve issues and come to conclusions that satisfy all stakeholders.

The transformational leader of the future needs to:

  • Frame – the challenges, problems and opportunities in a full and accurate manner
  • Facilitate – the divergent phase of the decision making process so all views are equally heard
  • Guide – the decision through the important convergent stage of the process and on to execution

Leaders who possess this competency are able to help their organizations make wise choices for the future.

Understanding & Perspective

Innovative Intelligence (INQ)

Is the ability to inspire, imagine and invent new solutions to old problems and foresee solutions to problems which have not yet even surfaced.

The transformational leader of the future needs to:

  • Anticipate – the emergence of new ideas, solutions, products, services and trends
  • Defy – the powerful negative voices of the CAVE people - i.e. the citizens against virtually everything
  • Release – the passions of the “creative class” so they can follow their instincts and deliver on their novel ideas

Leaders who possess this competency are able to help their organizations design an even better future.

Ambiguity Intelligence (AQ)

Is the ability to live comfortably with uncertainty and not allow yourself to become physically frozen or mentally incapacitated with not knowing.

The transformational leader of the future needs to:

  • Embrace – the inner restlessness of people in order to accelerate even more change
  • Overcome – the fear, insecurity and comfort that can be the cause of institutional complacency
  • Confront – the need people have for safety and security and replace it with the joy of adventure

Leaders who possess this competency are able to help their organizations cope with the demands of the future.

Creating Winning Conditions

Talent Intelligence (TQ)

Is the ability to spot, develop and release the talent that resides within each person, according to their own desires, interests and capabilities.

The transformational leader of the future needs to:

  • Sense – the hidden potential which resides within truly gifted, highly talented people
  • Coach – the organization, and its people, in their efforts to make the most of what they have
  • Encourage – the willing to take the risks necessary to achieve greatness and deliver exceptional results

Leaders who possess this competency are able to help their organization and people grow and develop for the future.

Collaborative Intelligence (COQ)

Is the ability to connect with others and work comfortably within formal and informal networks and groups of people. It is the power to tap into diversity in order to release hidden potential.

The transformational leader of the future needs to:

  • Express – views and have others do likewise without fear or recrimination
  • Listen – to the views and opinions of others, while reserving judgment and seeking to understand
  • Strive – to reach outcomes based on the superiority of the answer, rather than the cult of the personality

Leaders who possess this competency are able to help their organizations commit to sharing for the future.