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Leadership crisis

The leadership crisis or old leadership refers to a traditional approach to leadership that focused on hierarchy, rules and control, as oppose to modern leadership which focuses on empathy and freedom of thought and creativity.

What is the leadership crisis?


The term "leadership crisis" refers to the large number of organizations that are built on old leadership styles.


Old leadership vs new leadership:


Old Leadership:


  • Hierarchical

  • Command and Control

  • Traditional and Conservative

  • Formal and Distant

  • Results-focused


New Leadership:


  • Collaborative

  • Agile and Adaptive

  • Empowering

  • Authentic

  • Servant Leadership


How does the leadership crisis present itself?


The leadership crisis can manifest in various ways, such as:


  • Lack of competent leaders: Organizations or communities may struggle to find or develop leaders who possess the necessary skills, qualities, and values to effectively guide and inspire others.

  • Ineffective leadership styles: Leaders may struggle to adapt their leadership approaches to different situations or individuals, resulting in poor decision-making, communication, and conflict resolution.

  • Lack of trust and confidence in leadership: Individuals may lose trust and confidence in their leaders due to perceived incompetence, inconsistency, unethical behavior, or lack of accountability.

  • Leadership turnover and instability: Frequent changes in leadership positions or high turnover rates can disrupt continuity, stability, and performance within an organization or community.

  • Inadequate leadership development programs: Organizations may lack effective leadership development programs that prepare aspiring leaders for the challenges of leading in complex and dynamic environments.


The leadership crisis can have wide-ranging consequences, including reduced organizational performance, decreased employee engagement and morale, increased turnover, and erosion of trust and confidence in leadership. 


Addressing the leadership crisis may involve improving leadership selection and development processes, promoting ethical leadership practices, fostering a culture of accountability and transparency, and enhancing communication and collaboration within the organization or community.


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