How does leadership work in times of change?
"He who knows others is intelligent. He who knows himself is wise. He who defeats others is strong. He who defeats himself is powerful."
This quote from Laozi underlines the essential importance of self-awareness as the foundation of effective leadership. In a world that is constantly changing, managers must not only lead their teams successfully, but also reflect on themselves in order to be able to act authentically and sustainably.
Self-knowledge: the key to leadership competence
Leadership begins with the ability to understand one's own personality and the underlying patterns of thought and behavior. Studies (e.g. Goleman, 1995) show that leaders who are self-aware make better decisions and can deal with stressful situations more efficiently. This self-awareness forms the basis for emotional intelligence - a key competence for leadership in uncertain and dynamic environments.
Requirements for modern leaders
In times of change, successful leadership requires an understanding of both one's own personality and the dynamics of the organization. According to the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL), leaders need to develop three core competencies (Van Velsor, McCauley & Ruderman, 2010):
Adaptability: The ability to react flexibly to new challenges and to learn continuously.
Emotional intelligence: The capacity to control one's own emotions and to respond empathically to others.
Systemic thinking: An understanding of how the different parts of an organization interact and how changes affect the overall system.
These skills enable managers to improve their performance and successfully lead their organization through transformation processes.
The Enneagram: A tool for self-knowledge
The Enneagram is a model based on nine personality types and offers deep insights into individual motivations and behaviors (Riso & Hudson, 1996). It is an effective tool for gaining a better understanding of one's own personality and developing it in a targeted manner. The Enneagram can provide support in day-to-day management:
recognize patterns of behaviour: It helps managers to analyze their reactions to stress and conflicts and to develop alternative courses of action.
improve communication: Through a deeper understanding of one's own personality, interactions can be made clearer and more effective.
Strengthen resilience: The ability to face challenges consciously and authentically is strengthened.
The Enneagram is increasingly recognized as a valuable tool in personality psychology. It offers leaders the opportunity to break through unconscious patterns and consciously shape their impact on others. This is particularly important as unreflected behavior often has a negative impact on team dynamics.
Conclusion
Leadership in times of change begins with a willingness to self-awareness. Leaders who understand and consciously develop their personality create the basis for a sustainable culture of change in their organization. Tools such as the Enneagram and CCL approaches offer effective support in navigating yourself and the organization through uncertain times.
In a world that is constantly changing, reflective leadership is not only a prerequisite for success - it is a decisive competitive advantage.