Becoming a 21st Century Leader
Pamela Rutledge, PhD, MBA
Massachusetts School of Professional PsychologyPsyD Program, Leadership Psychology
October 2012
Leadership is about human interaction
Technology has rewired interaction
Mass Media Model: One to Many
Network Model: Many to Many
Impact: Structural & Experiential
Interactive ⌘ On-Demand ⌫ Asynchronous ⌥ Broad Access
New Experiences New Mental Models
Society-wide expectations: participation, voice, collaboration, and connection.
Results: increased empathy, social capital, and efficacy beliefs.
Changing Roles and Uses
Old Game + New Rules = Cognitive Dissonance
• New is different• Different is scary• Adaptation takes effort• Willingness to change
History is Full of Moral Panics Over Change
Socrates
People will forget how to use their memories
if they can write things down
John Phillips Sousa
Because of the gramophone, our vocal cords will
shrivel up
1930s Radio
Parents beware: The compelling excitement of the loudspeaker disturbs the balance of excitable minds
Now
Humans Crave Certainty: What We Know Feels Safe
Why Does Resistance to Change Matter?
Drives distance between ‘generations’
Becomes embedded in public policy
Biases research
Ignores the complexity of the environment
Diverts resources away from real problems and more effective interventions
The New Normal: Shifting Locus of Control
The New Normal: Creative Participation
The New Normal: Civic Engagement
The New Normal: Individual Philanthropy
The New Normal: Collaborative Management
Conflicting Models And Assumptions
Leadership
Management
Social Environment (Stakeholders)
“Reality” Conflicts with Models & Assumptions
Blending boundaries online and offline Marketing, sales, customer service,
workforce
More mobile means more autonomy Increased celebration of local Shifting affiliations
Increasing global awareness
Flattening hierarchies Respect, authenticity, and transparency New business models
Conscious
Emotional Brain
Reptilian Brain
Subconscious
New Brain
Triune Brain Theory
Sight
Sound
Taste
Smell
Touch
90% of Decisions, 10% of Brain
Nature: the old brain
EMOTIONS SENSES IMAGES GAINPAIN MOVEMENT REWARDS YOU
CONFIDENCE LOGICAL FEEDBACK VALIDATION PARTICIPATION
Nurture: the new brain
Communicating Vision: Narrative
Stories engage emotion
Tap existing metaphors
Create collective meaning
Transmit culture
Identify goals and vision
Expose misalignments
Emotional Intelligence
• Self-Awareness• Self-Regulation• Motivation• Empathy• Social Skill
Course Topics Overview
Vital Engagement
Acquiring Professional Capacity
Building a Career
Finding a Voice
Sharing the Vision
Resilience and Renewal
Overcoming Barriers
Leading an Integrated Life