The ABC’s of Emerging Leadership
If you want to be a top dog in tomorrow’s world, you better be ready to take on three key roles: architect, bridger, and catalyst, also known as the ABCs. Let me break it down for you.
First off, as an architect, you gotta build the culture and capabilities for co-creation. That means creating an environment that fosters collaboration, experimentation, and innovation. You can’t just sit back and hope it happens on its own, you gotta roll up your sleeves and get to work.
Next up, as a bridger, you gotta curate and enable networks of talent both inside and outside your organization. That means finding the right people and bringing them together to co-create. You can’t just rely on the folks in your immediate circle, you gotta expand your reach and bring in diverse perspectives.
Last but not least, as a catalyst, you gotta be the one to lead beyond your organizational boundaries. That means energizing and activating co-creation across entire ecosystems. You can’t just stay in your own lane, you gotta be willing to collaborate with other players in the game to drive impact and innovation.
But let me tell you, these ABCs aren’t for the faint of heart. To be a true leader, you can’t rely on formal authority as your source of power. You gotta shift to a style that enables diverse talent to come together and learn from each other. It’s a personal transformation that ain’t easy, but it’s essential if you want to succeed in the fast-paced, ever-changing world of tomorrow.
