What do we still need leaders for? Conversations with leaders.

The question sounds like a pure provocation but it´s not. It´s the subject of a project I am working on. In this video, I share with you why I take this question seriously:  Conversation with leaders project_the video

All kinds of organizations are currently going through major transformations, and most of them question deeply the way they organize themselves in order to surf or survive the unstoppable wave of digital change and artificial intelligence.

Self-organization working models like Teal or Holacracy to name just a few are getting more and more popular. They focus almost exclusively on collective intelligence and question fundamentally the need for formal leadership. But is it true that organizations, especially big organizations, could function without formal leaders? Honestly, I don´t know, and I don’t have enough data to have a well informed theoretical discussion about this subject. Furthermore, there are probably as many researchers and consultants bringing arguments and evidence for one direction than for the other. At least it´s my perception.

The focus of my approach today is different. It´s not about another discussion about leadership with non-leaders but a conversation WITH leaders. And here is the project I would like to share with you: I will start a series of conversations with top international leaders about their role today and in the future and will publish those interviews in a podcast format starting in September 2018.

Who they are? Leaders young or old, from different organizations and different countries, with all kinds of backgrounds, responsibilities, personalities, values and interests. Their humanity and a leadership role are what they all have in common. What I would like to talk about with them is what they think and feel about their role as leaders: they will get the chance to share their thoughts based on their experience, reflect on their personal leadership journey and share their vision for the future. It´s not about company insights, it´s about leadership insights based on personal thoughts.

I am a lover of respectful, authentic and inspiring conversations and have already the commitment of a few top international leaders for these interviews -I am sure there will be more to come! They have accepted to have their voice broadcasted and I am not only very proud of it. I also very much look forward to hearing what they want to share with us.

There are so many questions I would love to ask my guests but I would also like to give you the chance to participate in this project if you´d like. Two questions for you: 1) What would you want to ask those leaders if you had the chance to have this conversation with them? 2) Who are top leaders that you would like to recommend for this podcast because you know that the conversation with them would be inspiring for others? You can send me your questions and thoughts below or through private messages. I look forward to being inspired by you.

And also stay tuned! I will get back to you in September with the link to my new podcast so that you have the chance to listen to the first interview.

Drissia Schroeder-Hohenwarth is an internationally experienced Senior Coach for Executives, Teams and Organisations. Feel free to visit: DSH International HR.