Paul Martin's Business Update - May 28th, 2014

Paul Martin's Business Update - May 28th, 2014

Leadership is not just for leaders any more.

That idea flows from a blog by American author Sally Helgeson. Writing in Strategy + Business she argues that the role of leadership – taking initiative and problem solving – is now the purview of the rank-and-file, not just the boss.

So much so that a survey of American employers showed that complex decision making and communication skills outrank marks in hiring university graduates. In fact, she says, the value of a university degree is being questioned by employers who feel post-secondary schools are restricting ‘leadership’ studies to a class or two in the business college.

In some fields – the military is a good example – there has been a belief that the top two-percent of people are destined for leadership while the rest simply take orders. Helgeson says the workplace is evolving, organizations are flatter and decision-making is being driven closer and closer the front line.

Companies such as Southwest Airlines and WestJet are prime examples where employees are given significant latitude to deliver a positive customer experience without seeking permission from higher up.