Many experts and researchers argue that we are in a leadership crisis across business, government, education, and non-profits. This crisis is not limited to one sector or one nation: it’s a widespread challenge affecting the very fabric of our communities, organizations, and families. 

What does this crisis look like?

It manifests as a lack of trust, vision, adaptability, and accountability, core qualities that should define leadership. Instead, many leaders promote fear, use control, or hide behind indifference, leaving our communities and organizations to pay the price. 

The result is a ripple effect of negative impacts that weaken our systems, promote division and hate, and erode our sense of collective purpose. 

But here’s the truth: leadership isn’t broken, it’s outdated.

We cling to models that oppress, marginalize, and enslave, using force and policy to ensure the privilege and power of a select few. This model no longer serves us, and it’s time for a radical redefinition. 

Let’s dive into the symptoms of this crisis and explore how we can rebuild leadership as a force that empowers, inspires, and ignites real change. 

The Costs of the Crisis 

1. The Erosion of Trust:  Think about the last time you felt truly confident in the leader we commonly see. Was it recent, or does it feel like a distant memory? Scandals, unethical decisions, and broken promises have become so common that trust, accountability, and responsibility feel like unrealistic expectations. Without trust, even the best strategies and intentions crumble under doubt and cynicism. 
2. Disconnected and Uninspiring Leadership:  Leadership isn’t just about getting things done; it’s about how effectively the solution represents the people’s needs. Yet, many leaders lack the awareness, emotional intelligence, and communication skills needed to connect with their teams or the people they serve. This disconnection leaves people uninspired, disengaged, and unmotivated.  
3. Confusing Expertise with Leadership:  Let’s be honest: being an expert in your field doesn’t make you a leader. Too often, organizations prioritize technical skills, seniority, or economic power over actual leadership ability. The result? We have people in positions of authority who are ill-equipped to inspire, guide, or adapt when it matters most. 
4. Struggling to Navigate Complexity:  The world isn’t slowing down. Rapid technological changes, globalization and economic uncertainty demand that our leaders quickly pivot and adapt to change. Yet, many leaders are slow to adapt, innovate, and explore new ideas. These leaders are also most often unaware of their ingrained bias and stereotyping, making them ill-equipped to deal with the racial and cultural diversity that globalization brings. Instead, we find teams and workplace cultures steeped in an overwhelming sense of fear, scarcity, and division.  
5. Toxic Leadership Styles:  When leaders resort to threats, insults, or fear-based tactics, they erode trust, a key component of their teams’ foundation. Disengagement grows, innovation dies, and collaboration becomes impossible. Leadership by force might get compliance, but it will never create commitment. 
6. The Fallout: Burnout and Turnover:  At its worst, the leadership crisis creates a ripple effect of burnout, toxic workplace cultures, and high turnover. When people don’t feel valued or supported, they leave, taking their skills, creativity, and potential with them. 

The Shift We Need 

So, what’s the way forward?

It starts by redefining leadership. 

Leadership isn’t a title, a position, or a bank balance. Leadership is influence, integrity, and the ability to create meaningful impact. Real leaders don’t just tell people what to do; they model for people what’s possible. 

Here’s how we redefine leadership:  

1. A Shift from Power Over to Power With:  Leadership isn’t about controlling others; it’s about empowering them. When leaders reduce the power imbalance, they invite collaboration, spark innovation, and build trust. 
2.  Create Space for Conversation:  Great leaders listen before they act. They gain the insights and perspectives needed to lead effectively by creating spaces for open dialogue. Leadership isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about asking the right questions. 
3.  Lead with Collaboration, Not Command:  The best leaders know success is a team effort. They bring people together, leverage diverse strengths, and co-create solutions that everyone feels invested in. Collaboration isn’t just a strategy—it’s the heart of transformational leadership.

A New Era of Leadership 

Imagine the old way of leading by authority, control, and fear fading into the past.  

Now imagine that what emerges is a model of leadership rooted in empathy, adaptability, and courage. 

This year, mindset-driven leadership is the focus of The Influencer’s Journey Show.

We’re exploring how to transform our leadership through discussion with leaders from diverse backgrounds and industries. Through raw, unfiltered conversations with changemakers, we’ll explore what it means to inspire action, ignite change, and create a legacy. 

If you’re ready to rethink leadership and embrace your role as a catalyst for trust and collaboration, join us.

Together, we’ll create a future where leadership empowers and uplifts us all.  

Leadership isn’t about the power you hold…it’s about the difference you make.