From Capitalism To Talentism - Embracing A New Era Of Leadership

Silvia Damiano
2 min read

Leaders can no longer rule via checklists or use fear and unquestioning compliance to push their subordinates around. Employees expect and, increasingly, demand more. In our fast-paced, technological world, effective leaders must instead become a creative force. This gives people the opportunity to discover and cultivate the best parts of themselves.

It’s Time To Enter A New Era

I recently interviewed with Juan Carlos Cubeiro in Spain for my upcoming 2018 documentary Make Me A Leader. He is the Head of Talent at Manpower Group and Mentor at the Human Age Institute. Juan Carlos has been involved in leadership development since the 90's and has written over forty books on leadership.

He believes that we are entering a new era – moving from the age of Capitalism to Talentism. In a world of same/same products and easy-to-replicate services, Talent and people will become the most important aspect of business. Talent isn’t a fixed thing. It’s mobile and fluid. It has to be nurtured. Instead of mindlessly accepting ‘business as usual’, it’s time to challenge the status quo.

Conventional Leadership Styles Belong In The Past

Cubeiro believes that we require creators who can lead other leaders, as individuals need time and resources to create themselves. There are two kinds of leadership in this new era; leaders for the short-term, and leaders who look into the future.

Short-term leadership is necessary to oversee the meeting of immediate organisational deadlines. But, to prosper in the longer-term, businesses must invest in people and the talent they need to lead in the future. The key is to integrate both sides of the brain, bringing both conceptual and analytical thinking together.

Organisations that ignore their talent will ultimately fail. Already, the lifespan of successful organisations is rapidly contracting. In the early part of last century, businesses could expect to last 75 or more years. Now, the life span is more like 15 years. 90% of companies created today will not exist in five years time.

“All of us have to develop coaching abilities. It’s not a matter of being an external coach or internal coach or a leader coach but improving our lives and the lives of other people.”

Juan Carlos Cubeiro

We live in a VUCA world - Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous. Imagine if we could change this meaning. With smarter leadership development we can create a new kind of VUCA world, where we see Vision, Understanding, Commitment and Agility.

Having the vision and creativity to dream of a better future, and the understanding that we work best as an integrated team will dramatically affect future leadership roles. Leaders need the commitment and imagination to move forward, and the agility and intuition to make decisions.

Neuroscience Gives Us New Understanding Of Why Our Brains Matter In Leadership

It’s no longer theory. We have hard data and the technology to prove how our brains work when we make decisions. The successful businesses of the future will ensure that their talent is given opportunities to thrive. Where will you be?

Originally posted on: 19 September 2017
Last updated on: 24 March 2024

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Silvia Damiano

Silvia Damiano

Founder & CEO
About my Brain Institute

Scientist, educator, author, speaker, coach, award-winning leadership specialist, filmmaker and creator of the i4 Neuroleader Model & Methodology.

Silvia's scientific background and curiosity about the human brain led her to a decade long journey of research into optimal brain functioning and the application of neuroscience in leadership and daily life. Her past and current roles have uniquely prepared her for the current undertaking, that of leadership activist & change agent.

Silvia Damiano founded The About my Brain Institute in 2009, with the purpose of democratising leadership & neuroscience. She has a passionately held belief, that leaders in our 21st century global economy and their organisations must radically change long-held ideas of what constitutes effective leadership

In her ground-breaking books ‘Leadership is Upside Down’, ‘Brain-Friendly Leadership’ and the 2018 documentary ‘Make Me A Leader’, Silvia provides both compelling evidence and explores the importance of leadership in our personal and professional lives and what it takes to develop the human behind the leader.

Silvia has worked in different countries, across many industries, helping teams and organisations improve business performance. Silvia’s clients have described her as a passionate, dynamic, a highly experienced speaker and master facilitator on the topics of Emotional Intelligence, Cultural Change, Neuroleadership & Engagement.

Silvia is passionate about leaving a legacy of well-rounded leaders who can act and decide in a way that better serves humanity. Her clients include Microsoft, Australian Stock Exchange, NSW Government, VISA, Fuji Xerox and Manpower amongst many other global companies.

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