The Chinese proverb states, "Learning is like rowing upstream. Not to advance is to drop back." This perspective may be particularly relevant when it comes to leadership development. Our world has become more global, decentralized, and arguably more dynamic and diverse than ever before. As a result, aspiring leaders must prioritize their own continuous development and be ready to reset and pivot to address ever-changing realities.
A new book titled "Modern Achievement: A New Approach to Timeless Lessons for Aspiring Leaders" by Asheesh Advani and Marshall Goldsmith provides a highly accessible guide for emerging leaders who want to take charge of their personal growth and achievement. Advani, the CEO of Junior Achievement Worldwide, and Goldsmith, a renowned management expert, offer valuable insights into the current leadership development landscape.
Advani highlights that the achievement landscape today is more diverse, global, and dynamic compared to past decades. He notes that over 60% of jobs have not yet been invented, and today's graduates will have an average of more than 20 different jobs and potentially seven different careers during their professional lives. This requires a rethinking of long-term goal setting and educational achievement.
To navigate this evolving landscape, Advani advocates a "fixed-flexible-freestyle" leadership framework, which promotes adaptability. This framework balances principled guidance (fixed), adaptable strategies (flexible), and personal empowerment (freestyle). Advani explains how this framework has been instrumental in Junior Achievement's organizational collaboration and goal setting, allowing for globally fixed initiatives, regionally flexible programs, and locally freestyle activities.
Advani also addresses the notion of meritocracy, emphasizing the importance of merit and achievement while being mindful of social inequities. He encourages leaders to foster internal standards for merit, which can maintain personal motivation and a clear sense of achievement.
Optimism, Advani believes, plays a crucial role in a person's ability to achieve. Optimistic individuals view setbacks as temporary and believe that obstacles can be navigated, fostering a proactive and resilient mindset.
Additionally, Advani advocates the practice of "meta-learning," which involves stepping back to critically reflect on one's learning process. This can help individuals gain deeper insights and enhance their ability to achieve and continuously learn.
Advani emphasizes the importance of finding good mentors and making the most of their counsel, particularly as job transitions and career shifts become more common. He also differentiates between sequential tasking, which involves focusing on one task at a time, and multitasking, which can deplete neural resources and hinder focus.
Lastly, Advani encourages an "and" mindset rather than an "or" mindset, which can expand perspectives and open up more possibilities for achievement. He also highlights the importance of balancing simplicity and complexity, a skill that is essential for effective leadership.