Episode 76: Why Leadership is Broken

Dr. Paige Williams, an organizational psychologist and honorary fellow at the University of Melbourne, joins Karen to explore how leaders can transform outdated and ineffective practices. Drawing on insights from Dr. Williams' latest book, The Leaders Ecosystem: A Guide to Leading Exceptionally, they discuss how today’s leaders can cultivate adaptability, self-awareness and resilience. Their conversation emphasizes a new approach to leadership—one focused on creating sustainable, robust systems that can drive long-term success: 

• What we’ve been told good leadership looks like simply isn’t enough to meet the needs, challenges and opportunities leaders are facing now and in the future.  

• Leaders are burnt out and don’t have time to learn how to become impactful in leading their teams.  

• There isn’t one solution to why leaders need an ecosystem of ideas to meet the uniqueness of the people and systems that they lead. 

Key Takeaways:

Outdated Leadership Models: The traditional command-and-control style is ineffective in today's complex work environment. Current leadership often emphasizes technical skills over emotional intelligence and engagement strategies, leaving leaders overwhelmed and burned out. This stress can cascade into teams, leading to cynicism and disengagement. 

Self-awareness and Emotional Intelligence: Effective leadership requires self-awareness and emotional intelligence. Leaders should focus on creating thriving systems rather than merely achieving results. Paige stresses the importance of asking, "What does good look like?" to foster adaptability in leadership styles. 

Investment in Leadership Development: Organizations must invest in developing their leaders' capabilities to navigate complexity, prioritize mental health, and foster psychosocial safety. 

Leadership is Broken: Many leaders are burnt out and lack the tools to cope with modern workplace complexities. 

Need for New Skills: Traditional leadership models are outdated. Leaders must develop soft skills, adaptability, and emotional intelligence while building strong relationships with their teams. 

Importance of Self-awareness: Understanding one’s biases and motivations is foundational for effective leadership. 

Unlearning Old Habits: Leaders should be open to letting go of outdated practices to foster growth. 

Long-term Perspective: Decisions should prioritize long-term impacts rather than short-term gains, focusing on creating thriving systems. 

Continuous Learning: Leadership effectiveness is a continuous process of learning and adaptation. 

Strategic Actions for Transformative Leadership 

Prioritize Self-Mastery: Prioritize self-mastery and understand what effective leadership looks like. Be open to unlearning old habits and embracing new ideas. 

Implement Development Programs: Implement leadership development programs that enhance emotional intelligence and foster a culture of psychological safety. Focus on long-term results rather than immediate achievements. 

Expand Selection Criteria: Expand leadership selection criteria to include human-centered skills alongside technical expertise. Consider the broader social and environmental impacts of business decisions. 

Connect with Dr.  Paige Williams on LinkedIn Now!