Leadership Perfected: Leading from the Whole You

Previous decades were characterized by relative stability and predictable economic growth. But in the new climate of volatility, unpredictability, complexity, and ambiguity, leaders must accept imperfection and uncertainty. Rather than respond to new situations according to scripts, expectations, and external standards, leaders should exercise self-awareness, creativity, and improvisation. Leadership is defined not by creating perfect plans, but by responding to unscheduled events and learning from them. As this article suggests, leaders must prepare themselves by accurately perceiving their unique mix of talents and flaws. Only then can they effectively leverage their ability to lead and move past conformity and the projection of superficial strength.