This is the twelfth in a series of posts which articulate fundamental shifts in leadership paradigms from the 20th to the 21st century.
There were probably a multitude of reasons that many people, especially in the second half of the 20th Century, were very accepting of the status quo. Individuals tended to settle with their lot, because they weren’t too uncomfortable, because they weren’t willing to be more uncomfortable or because they did not believe that their discomfort could be alleviated. Activism was the preserve of a minority of leaders who fought the good fight for causes for which they were willing to die, on behalf of many who were yielded to loblivion, learned incompetence or a victim mentality. Inside organisations, whilst they may have grumbled most people accepted their status, accepted their roles, accepted abuse and bullying, accepted instruction, accepted their limitations and accepted the way the system worked and their part in it.
In the 21st Century an increasing number of people are embracing and enacting agency. They are realising the choices which the world is offering to them and exploring alternative responses to conditions which are sub-optimal. Even more importantly, they are developing a deeper conscience and are moving to take action on behalf of others. They are exploring, exploiting and creating ways to leverage communities and resources to effect highly impactful change, realising that small beginnings can predicate massive waves of social transformation.
#AstuteLeaders exercise their agency for personal and social good. They know that their voices and choices have impact, and they use them selectively and strategically to minimize injustice and foster change.
Reflection question: As an Astute Leader, how are you exercising your agency? What small actions can you take which might have massive implications?
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