LEADERSHIP

Pandemic, war, economic turmoil, broken supply chains and climate crisis; most leaders are getting overwhelmed by the uncertainty and complexity in the contextual environment they must deal with. At the same time, new technology, new ways of working, and rapidly shifting demands from the workforce is pushing for changes from the inside.

Strategic decisions in these conditions are extremely difficult, but they are non the less necessary. And not taking the tough strategic decisions is also a choice.

Traditional leadership theories are often based on the fundamental idea that we can plan and predict our future. A reality that today's leaders cannot recognise. This is causing most of the traditional leadership tools to fall short, creating a situation where leaders and organisations find themselves paralysed and incapable of acting timely.

Anticipatory leadership is about including a long-term vision and an understanding of continuous change in daily management. It is about establishing the organisation's culture, processes, management style, and even strategy on new analogies, such as ecosystem thinking rather than industrial logic.  

Organisations that maintain their competitive advantage over time have shared traits. They scan their environment to identify relevant changes, ensure ongoing dialogue and learning, and mobilise resources to create change towards a desired future.

 Anticipatory leaders are leaders that cultivate these qualities within an organisation.