Leadership

THE CENTER FOR CREATIVE SOLUTIONS, INC.

LEADERSHIP FOR THE 21st CENTURY

   How do change,
     leadership and
   creativity relate?

Every day, we witness change in our world.   Leaders must guide  their organizations and communities to meet the challenges of those changes.  To do so, the creativity of leaders and others  around them will be needed. Today, people are talking a lot about creative leadership.  One leadership expert said this:

   It (transformational     leadership) includes leadership that stimulates followers to be creative and innovative, and to challenge their own beliefs and values as well as those of the leader and the  organization. This type of leadership supports followers as they try new approaches and develop innovative ways of dealing with organizational issues. It promotes followers’ thinking things out on their own and engaging in careful problem solving.

                      Northouse (2007)


       How are leaders
              different
       from managers?

    “Managers are people who do things right and leaders are people who do the right things,” according to leadership researchers, Bennis and Nanus (1985). Sessions conducted by the staff of the Center for Creative Solutions will teach you the difference between leaders and managers. To become a better leader or to equip your organization or community with more effective leaders, contact us! Our professional staff is certified to teach change leadership.

         Why is successful leadership
                  vital to your success?

Change is occurring with lightening speed. Globalization means more risk and opportunity.

To meet these demands, sophisticated leaders are needed now! The viability of your organization depends on such leaders.

                       What is leadership?

Many experts have tried to define leadership. While there are many definitions, it is generally agreed that leadership has these fundamental components:

•     Leadership is a process.
•     Leadership involves influence.
•     Leadership occurs within a group.
•     Leadership involves obtaining a goal.

                                                 Northouse (2007)

          What are some qualities of the 21^st
                           Century Leaders

To succeed in the 21^st Century, our society will need:

Leaders who seek options– not plans.

Leaders who look for what is possible.

Leaders who are flexible.

Leaders who pursue vision with intent.

Leaders who are tireless, inventive, observant risk-takers and ever-hopeful builders.

Leaders who challenge assumptions and paradigms.

Leaders who empower the talent, intelligence creativity of others.

Hesselbein, Goldsmith & Beckhart (1996)

       What are some tools to
     enhance a leader's ability?

We utilize several tools to help people improve their leadership skills. These include administering the Leadership Practices Inventory developed by James M. Kouzes and Barry Z Posner, well known leadership experts. The process may include 360 feedback. These tools, as well as other diagnostic evaluations, help people identify their leadership strengths and weaknesses. By doing so, leaders can maximize their strengths and improve on their weaknesses in these areas:

    --   Modeling the Way.
    --   Inspiring a Shared Vision.
    -- Challenging the Process.
-- Enabling others to Act.
--   Encouraging the Heart.

                                                        Kouzes & Posner (2003)
Another effective tool is Creative Problem Solving. This is a proven way for leaders to find creative solutions for even the most complicated problems.