| the economic recession in full swing, the fortune 500 | | | | decades, and have lived through recession before. |
| seeing an 84% drop in profits, and unemployment | | | | Although admittedly economists are calling this financial |
| rates rising. One has to ask the question: "Is our trusted | | | | crisis 'the worst since the great depression'. |
| leadership model dead?” | | | | Classic models such as the autocratic method, which |
| If you wondered about this lately, you're not alone. | | | | still thrive in high-pressure work environments such as |
| Executives in board rooms all across the country are | | | | journalism and entertainment, will very likely weather |
| asking the same question. "Are the tried and tested | | | | this storm. In these industries - managers need to |
| leadership techniques failing? Should we show | | | | retain an extremely tight grip on creative talent, to |
| solidarity and hold course, or should we show flexibility | | | | protect the company from watchdogs and negative |
| and adaptability by reacting and changing our | | | | public reaction, as shown by several recent scandals. |
| leadership methods?" | | | | Therefore classic leadership models are certainly still |
| There are respectable arguments on both sides, and | | | | alive in several industries. |
| we will examine in this article. It's important to first | | | | New Leadership Models Are Needed. |
| understand however, that due to highly subjective | | | | In the other corner, proponents of new leadership |
| nature of leadership, that many other arguments exist | | | | techniques that are more appropriate for the new age |
| out there that I haven't included in this short article, and | | | | of this global economy argue that outdated techniques |
| so this work in no way calls itself comprehensive! | | | | will hold back a company just like an outdated |
| Why, you would probably need a team of 100 experts | | | | production technique. Staying on course, they argue, is |
| to conduct a several year research project to officially | | | | simply like staying on board the titanic. And only by |
| and accurately gauge the national attitude torwards | | | | jumping off the ship and changing direction, can one |
| leadership in all levels of business. | | | | change the dark fate of a company right around. |
| Old Leadership Methods Will See Us Through. | | | | New leadership models that focus on employee |
| There are many reasons to suggest that the idea of | | | | empowerment, leadership 'teasers' and democratic |
| sticking with old techniques may have merits. | | | | decision making will face their first real test in the |
| Great leadership characteristics include solidarity, | | | | coming years. Leadership models may work perfectly |
| consistency, confidence, and determination. All 4 of | | | | fine during a boom, but are never severely tested until |
| these traits suggest that continuing upon a wise path | | | | jobs become at risk and staff members become |
| would actually bring benefits in terms of influence and | | | | stressed and desperate. Only in extreme work |
| leadership. To hesitate, or make a U turn on such an | | | | environments such as those, will a model truely be able |
| important issue undermines your leadership and | | | | to prove itself. |
| subsequently, your influence. | | | | I emplore you to continue the debate, and look into the |
| Also, old leadership techniques such as the democratic | | | | many different leadership models that different |
| or bureaucratic leadership models have survived for | | | | managers subscribe to in the modern day! |