— Buckle up, buttercup, it’s going to be a wild ride!
D. Kevin Berchelmann
The business landscape isn’t just changing, it’s doing Warp 10 while too many leaders are still metaphorically screwing around with their flip phones.
You can almost hear them mumbling, “Why fix it if it ain’t broken?”
Spoiler alert: it’s broken.
Leaders crushing it going forward aren’t necessarily those with the longest resumes. They’re the ones willing to question everything they know, tear up the damned playbook, and refine skills that actually matter in today’s crazy world.
Frankly, if you aren’t careful, your decades of experience might be your biggest liability.
The future of leadership isn’t about authority, it’s about adaptability, empathy, and take a deep breath — a dose of humility.
The limitations of experience
To be sure, experience is valuable, but it’s not a static asset; it needs to be constantly updated and refined. The adage, “20 years of experience, or 1 year of experience 20 times over?” holds incredibly true today.
Experience alone just isn’t enough.
- Yesterday’s solutions don’t fix today’s problems: Remember when “digital transformation” meant getting everyone to use email? Now we’re talking about AI making decisions that used to require your “years of experience.”
The game has changed, and the same goes for leadership. What worked in the past may not be the best approach in a world where AI is driving decision-making, and automation is quite literally changing the game.
- Technical knowledge has an expiration date: And for many leaders, that date has passed. When was the last time you actually understood the technology your team is using? You don’t need to be a coding whiz, but if your tech strategy is consistently “I’ll have someone explain it to me,” you’re already behind.
- Technical knowledge is like milk in your fridge – it has a shelf life. If you don’t keep updating those skills, you’ll be left with a bunch of outdated BS that’s as useful as the old “You’ve got mail” AOL notification.
- You can’t delegate understanding: As a leader, you can’t just delegate the task of understanding new technologies to your team. You need to be in the trenches, doing some learning alongside them.
If you don’t understand the fundamentals of today’s environment, you’re just flying blind while pretending to be a pilot. You need to have a grasp on some of the nitty-gritty details, the challenges, the opportunities, even if it means getting your hands dirty.
The new leadership toolkit
So, what does it take to be a leader in this brave new, sometimes-whacky world? It’s not about having the right answers, it’s about asking the right questions, embracing the unknown (trust me, there’s plenty to go around), and building no-kidding, lasting connections with your team.
- Learn leadership: In today’s crazy world of constant change, leadership isn’t a title; it’s a craft. Genuine, impactful leadership takes more than gut instinct or osmosis; it demands ongoing growth, self-awareness, and real skills to influence and inspire amidst chaos. Superficial charm just won’t cut it anymore, assuming it ever did.
As technology evolves and challenges mount, leaders who don’t adapt risk irrelevance. Whether it’s building trust, making hard decisions, or mastering those fun-filled “difficult discussions,” leadership skills aren’t optional; they’re your survival kit for now and later.
Don’t just lead. Lead better.
- Tech up or shut up: To successfully lead today, you simply must have a basic understanding of the technologies that are driving both your people and your industry.
Admitting you don’t know everything doesn’t make you weak, it makes you human. It shows your team that you’re open to learning and growing, and it creates a culture of psychological safety where people feel comfortable taking risks and asking questions.
- Ask stupid questions: Try something new, challenge your assumptions, and be willing to fail. Don’t be afraid to ask questions that might seem silly. Remember, though some people may stretch this to its limit, there are no stupid questions.
For my clients, you’ve likely heard me describe my role as the guy “asking stupid questions that you have to answer.”
And frankly, if you’re unsure about something, chances are others on the team are too.
Resourcefulness is the new superpower
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the days of unchecked and ridiculously abundant resources are long gone. Budgets are tighter, timelines are shorter, and teams are burning out faster than ever.
- Sharpen your prioritization skills: If everything’s high priority, it’s all routine. Learn to separate the “must-haves” from the “meh-we’ll-live-withouts.” You’ll actually accomplish more than you would with the so-stupid-it’s-funny “They’re all Priority One” approach.
- Become a process ninja: Streamline workflows so your team stops wasting two hours a day lost in pointless meetings. Spoiler: You could probably delete half your standing meetings right now and the sky wouldn’t fall. I get coaching clients to do it all the time.
Take a gander at your current workflows, asking yourself: Are there any bottlenecks? Can we automate anything (without causing automatic crap)? Can we simplify things without sacrificing quality?
- Be flexible: Things won’t always go as planned. Sometimes the well dries up, deadlines get tighter, or unexpected “stuff” pops up.
Stay flexible and adjust plans on the fly when necessary.
Credibility is earned, not given
Just because your title says Director, VP, President, even Grand Poobah, doesn’t mean people will blindly follow you. In fact, they’re probably side-eyeing you, waiting to see if your actions match your words.
- Earn trust, don’t demand it: Leaders must be transparent, empathetic, and communicate readily to build trust with their teams and other stakeholders. It’s like building any relationship – you need to put in the work and be genuine.
- Be visible (not in a creepy way): Don’t just hide in your office, emerging only for performance reviews. Leaders need to be visible and present. Show up to team meetings, ask questions, and show a genuine interest in the work and well-being of your employees.
- Craft your leadership image (a cape isn’t necessary): This doesn’t mean faking it or trying to be someone you’re not. It’s about presenting your best, most authentic self. Think about your strengths, what makes you unique, and how you can leverage those qualities to inspire and influence others.
Transparency is king: Be open and honest with your team, even when the news isn’t great. Sharing information builds trust. You’ll need that.
Leadership is a muscle, not a trophy or static state. I live it daily in my world, and can say without question that you never stop learning. The more you work on it, the stronger you’ll get.
Leading today for tomorrow isn’t going to magically “click” one morning as soon as you’ve skimmed a couple of LinkedIn posts. Even if those LinkedIn posts are mine (here’s my profile!). It’s not about power from a pedestal; it’s about being a part of the conversation.
It’s about learning alongside your team, managing resources effectively, building trust, and focusing on the people side of leadership.
Leadership is a conversation, not a monologue.
The leaders who will thrive in 2025 and beyond are those who are willing to question their experience, build new skills, and lead with a people-centered approach.
Or, you know, be a dinosaur. The choice is yours.
And remember that grace and accountability can coexist.
