Article originally published in the Competitividad Ejecutiva Magazine – Page 14
Reflecting on what is currently happening in many of the countries of Latin America and the globe and on the evolution of technology in an increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex, ambiguous and hyperconnected world, “VUCAH” in its English acronym, I believe that the greatest threat to our society is not accelerated technological evolution.
The greatest threat is the decrease in trust in institutions and companies, the greatest threat is the existence of insufficient leaders, who believe, who practice ethics and values, who have leadership characterized by transparency and generate trust, who assume their “leadership contract.”
Technology brings challenges of adaptation and digitalization of processes, alterations of productive structures and different business models, challenges of training the workforce and identification and development of talent, challenges to educational systems and challenges of altering public policies, but in itself it is not a threat.
It is indeed an opportunity for development, productivity, efficiency and better living conditions. It is an opportunity if we are predisposed to change, to leave our comfort zone and face challenges with tenacity and vision, as a society, as a company and as individuals.
The most developed societies were built based on trust, on cooperation in respect for human rights, on the belief that, if you make an effort, work and collaborate, you can improve the quality of life.
Example and hope for a better future are strong motivators to action, to give the best of ourselves.
That trust is eroding; in many Latin American societies, institutional quality indices reveal low institutional quality compared to the most successful countries worldwide.
According to data from the World Bank, in an IDB presentation at the 2018 APEDE Economic Forum, the institutional quality of the countries considered successful is an average of 6.1 compared to a value of 1 for Panama. In the 2018 competitiveness index, Panama globally ranked in the position 64 in 140 countries and, in addition to the above, it is in position 80 in the corruption index.
Expectations on leaders are increasing and social problems in the world are more complex. Leaders are currently more exposed to scrutiny from the media and social networks. Society looks for leaders who assume their responsibilities, who can face challenges and lead change. Leaders who are an example to follow, who, from their companies, from their organisations or from public service, work to make our world a better world.
Vince Molinaro, in his book “The Leadership Contract”, a guide to being a responsible and trustworthy leader expresses:
- “Leadership is a decision: make it”
- “Leadership is an obligation: assume it”
- “Leadership is hard work: be strong”
- “Leadership is a community: connect”
When the leader assumes these four components and lives them daily, he will be an example, a model that others will want to imitate. The leader will be clear about his obligation to create value for his stakeholders, You will have the courage and resilience to do hard work. The leader will work on building trust and a culture of leadership.
Are you ready to take on your leadership contract?
References:
- Book: Vince Molinaro, “The Leadership Contract – A Guide to Being a Responsible and Trustworthy Leader”
- Conference at the APEDE Economic Forum on November 8, 2018: Carlos Garcimartín, Chief Economist of the IDB, “The reform of the state for efficient public management and its impact on the country’s competitiveness.”
