Qualities of a Pioneer Leader

Leaders are constantly faced with challenges that have no clear answers and require them to venture into new territory where there are few paths to follow. What particular qualities and skills are needed for this endeavor? What can we learn from pioneers or trackers experiencing similar challenges?

I was inspired by the stories of Columbus sailing an unknown ocean and the first American pioneers finding their way across a continent to think about what they did and how it might apply to today’s leaders in a complex and uncertain world. Here are some of the qualities of a pioneering leader:

1. Keep everyone aware of the purpose

It was Steven Covey in his book 7 Habits who said start with the end in mind. It seems important not only to start with the end in mind, but to keep it in everyone’s mind so that there is full agreement around a shared purpose.

2. Be clear about identity

Once old familiar territory is left behind, there is a danger that we will become disoriented and abandon values ​​and practices that have served us well.

Despite all the changes happening in organizations today, it is important that they do not lose their sense of identity, purpose and direction. The vision, mission and values ​​may be printed on laminated cards but the leader is responsible for living them out in the organization on a day-to-day basis – showing the way by going first.

3. Learning from experience

When looking for a leader or pioneer, ideally we want someone who has walked a similar path before. We need someone who has made mistakes and learned from them so that we don’t have to make the same mistakes.

It can become increasingly difficult to navigate through these new and complex times, especially when organizations collectively fail to acknowledge their mistakes and learn from the past. I was once told that Japanese companies tend to be better than Western companies at recognizing mistakes. In Japan it was said that managers would share mistakes like gems with each other so that everyone would learn. In the West, however, we have a tendency to sweep them under the rug.

4. Feel and respond

Sometimes the territory is so new that past experience of it does not exist. Experience of any kind may get in the way and make predictions misleading.

When the future cannot be predicted with any degree of certainty, then the only reasonable approach is to feel what is happening and respond to it, feel again what changes, and respond again. In this way, the leader or pioneer can continuously adapt to the new situation.

5. Strict guide

When we are clear about who we are (identity) and where we are going (purpose and direction), then we need someone to keep us on track. This requires a high level of rigor, without hesitation, that keeps us collectively focused and committed to the common purpose.