Studenten van de Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam hebben in samenwerking met adviesbureau Squarewise een onderzoek uitgevoerd dat de interactie in kaart brengt tussen leiderschap en trends die de verandering in de 21ste eeuw karakteriseren. Er is gewerkt met de trends ‘internationalization’, ‘horizontalization’ en ‘technologization’. De trends zijn in interviews met een internationale selectie van leiders gevalideerd. Daarbij zijn tevens noodzakelijke leiderschapskarakteristieken in kaart gebracht die deze leiders in staat stellen effectief te opereren binnen deze trends. Het onderzoek biedt nog geen grond voor vertaling naar nieuwe leiderschapsmodellen maar geeft wel aanleiding tot vervolgonderzoek. De eindpresentatie van de Erasmus studenten is ook te downloaden op de website www.squarewise.nl.

1. International Business Project RSM Erasmus University
Leadership in the 21st century
An international study on leadership and related trends
Team: Mohit Ahuja, Amanda Bachmann, Juhee Jang, Nóra Stancsics, Yingzhi Su
Coaches: Squarewise BV (Anouk van der Have, Dirk Bijl de Vroe), RSM Erasmus University (Alex van der Zwart)
December 2011

2. Squarewise RSM Erasmus University
• The client:
Strategy consulting firm focusing on innovation and passionate about
sustainability.
Introduction Leadership & trends Analysis Conclusion 1

3. Research question RSM Erasmus University
What are the main characteristics of leadership to
successfully cope with the trends in the 21st
century?
1. What is leadership? What are the main characteristics of
leadership?
2. What are the trends in the 21st century? How can leadership
adapt to these trends?
3. Do leaders of different fields have different opinions?
4. Are there any generational differences?
Introduction Leadership & trends Analysis Conclusion 2

4. Research process flow RSM Erasmus University
Qualitative methods to gain a holistic view and new insights.
3 months elapsed time
Interviews with
Formulation leaders Analysis
Desk research of ques- template
Analysis
tionnaire Student survey
• Clear understanding • Identify trends and • Comparison
Objective of both leadership important leadership between leaders
and the trends characteristics and students
• Description of • Summaries, • Validation of
Output consolidated
leadership and the trends and
trends data leadership
characteristics
Introduction Leadership & trends Analysis Conclusion 3

5. Methodology – two viewpoints RSM Erasmus University
Leaders Students
Results about
• Different fields trends and key • Future leaders,
(corporate, political and characteristics university students,
role-model leaders) of a leader mostly between 18-25
• Different nations • Different nations
• 16 interviews • 93 respondents
Introduction Leadership & trends Analysis Conclusion 4

6. International study RSM Erasmus University
Introduction Leadership & trends Analysis Conclusion 5

7. Leaders
16 interviews
of political, corporate and role-
model leaders from five
countries
Introduction Leadership & trends Analysis Conclusion 6

8. Students
93 survey responses
from more than five different
countries
Introduction Leadership & trends Analysis Conclusion 7

9. Leadership triangle and leader
characteristics RSM Erasmus University
Establishing direction
Vision
Courage
Focus
Discernment
Problem solving
Positive attitude
Character
Teachability
Initiative
Communication
Self-discipline
Responsibility Confidence
Commitment Competence Charisma
Passion
Relationships Listening Generosity
Servant hood
Aligning people Motivating and inspiring people
Introduction Leadership & trends Analysis Conclusion Source: Own figure based on Maxwell, 1999 & Northhouse, 2010 8

10. Three trends given by the client RSM Erasmus University
Technologization
Globalization
Horizontalization
Introduction Leadership & trends Analysis Conclusion 9

11. Technologization RSM Erasmus University
• Application of practical sciences to industry or
commerce
• Ubiquity of technology
• Human knowledge
• Networks
Structure of work will change
Introduction Leadership & trends Analysis Conclusion 10

12. Globalization RSM Erasmus University
• The world is getting smaller
• Third period of globalization: individuals, who utilize the
new global platform and develop new skills, will be the
crucial force to drive globalization
• Problems caused by globalization
Glocalization
Introduction Leadership & trends Analysis Conclusion 11

13. Horizontalization RSM Erasmus University
• Hierarchical levels in societies and organizations are
no longer valid
• Weakening of vertical authority and decentralizing of
decision making processes
Equal access to information and knowledge
Introduction Leadership & trends Analysis Conclusion 12

14. RSM Erasmus University
Analysis of
• Trends
• Functions of a leader
• Characteristics of a leader
• Characteristics of future leaders
Introduction Leadership & trends Analysis Conclusion 13

15. Three trends of the 21st century RSM Erasmus University
1. Horizontalization
2. Globalization
3. Technologization
Introduction Leadership & trends Analysis Conclusion 14

16. Additional trends RSM Erasmus University
Leaders Students
1. Sustainability / Ecology
2. Changes in the value Demographic change
systems and attitudes
3. Social networking Customization / Individualism
4. Informatization Power shift among countries
Introduction Leadership & trends Analysis Conclusion 15

17. Functions of a leader RSM Erasmus University
LEADER LEADER
Leaders Students
Visionary and producer of change Visionary and producer of change
Establishing direction Establishing direction
• Create big picture • Create big picture
• Set strategies • Set strategies
Aligning people Aligning people
• Communicate goals • Communicate goals
• Seek commitment • Seek commitment
• Build teams and coalitions
• Build teams and coalitions
Motivating and inspiring people Motivating and inspiring people
• Satisfy unmet needs • Satisfy unmet needs
• Empower subordinates • Empower subordinates
• Empathetic behaviour
• Question status quo • Empathetic behaviour
• Question status quo
Introduction Leadership & trends Analysis Conclusion 16

18. Top 6 leadership characteristics RSM Erasmus University
Leaders Students
1. Communication Communication
2. Listening Listening
3. Vision Initiative
4. Teachability Competence
5. Relationships Vision
6. Discernment Relationships
Introduction Leadership & trends Analysis Conclusion 17

19. Leadership characteristics for
future leaders RSM Erasmus University
Leaders Students
1. Relationships Focus on social skills
2. Focus on cooperation Leader as a servant
3. Global perspective Authencity
4. Teachability & Adaptability Teachability & Adaptability
5. Risk taking Open-mindedness
6. Open-mindedness Global perspective
Introduction Leadership & trends Analysis Conclusion 18

20. Insights: leaders and students RSM Erasmus University
Establishing direction
Vision
Leaders
Courage
Focus
Discernment
Students
Problem solving
Positive attitude
Character
Teachability
Initiative
Communication
Self-discipline
Responsibility Confidence
Commitment Competence Charisma
Passion
Relationships Listening Generosity
Servant hood
Aligning people Motivating and inspiring people
Introduction Leadership & trends Analysis Conclusion 19

21. Insights: leaders RSM Erasmus University
Establishing direction
Students
Vision
Leaders
Corporate Courage
Focus
Discernment
Political Problem solving
Positive attitude
Role-model
Character
Teachability
Initiative
Communication
Self-discipline
Responsibility Confidence
Commitment Competence Charisma
Passion
Relationships Listening Generosity
Servant hood
Aligning people Motivating and inspiring people
Introduction Leadership & trends Analysis Conclusion 20

22. Conclusion RSM Erasmus University
What are the main characteristics of leadership to
successfully cope with the trends in the 21st century?
Introduction Leadership & trends Analysis Conclusion 21

23. Validation of the three trends RSM Erasmus University
The three trends
Horizontalization
Globalization
Technologization
have been identified as highly important in the
21st century.
Introduction Leadership & trends Analysis Conclusion 22

24. Leadership characteristics for the
21st century RSM Erasmus University
Communication
Listening
Communication Vision
Listening Relationships
Vision
Relationships Teachability &
Adaptability
Global Perspective
Open-mindedness
Introduction Leadership & trends Analysis Conclusion 23

25. Thank you for your attention!
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