Leadership Upside Down: STRIVE for the New Paradigm in the Wake of "Stranger" World

In the quiet town of Hawkins, normalcy was an illusion just as it was in our pre-pandemic leadership paradigms. We lived in a world where diversity, inclusion, and authentic leadership were on the rise, echoing the progressive trends of the 2010s and culminating in the remote-work revolution catalyzed by COVID-19. However, just like in the eerie world of Stranger Things, a rift appeared, and the corporate Demogorgons emerged, challenging the very fabric of modern leadership.

Pre-Rift World of Leadership

Once upon a time, cognitive diversity and racial inclusion were the mantras chanted in every boardroom.

The Theory Y approach, trusting in the intrinsic motivation of employees, found validation as remote work became a norm rather than an exception.

Corporate responsibility was no longer a buzzword but an actionable strategy.

The Rift and the Demogorgons

But the winds changed direction. The rise of alpha leaders like Donald Trump and Elon Musk tore through the fabric of the pre-rift world. Musk's back-to-work ultimatums and Trump's divisive rhetoric inspired a breed of leaders who turned the clock back on remote work and inclusion.

The inflation beast reared its ugly head, and companies scrambled. Profit margins thinned, and the knee-jerk reaction was layoffs, which pushed diversity and inclusion initiatives to the backburner. This was evident when Tech companies laid off 250,000 people in 2023.

Disney Marvel's case was a pendulum swinging too far. In an attempt to embrace a liberal agenda, it alienated its core consumer base, resulting in a dip in its viewership by 25% in Q2 of 2021.

The Great Resignation was another twist, as employees armed with new-found power demanded higher salaries and permanent remote positions. In response, companies like VirtualTech began revoking remote work privileges, seeking to restore the 'old ways' of in-office authority.

The innovation void was startling. Investments in disruptive tech dwindled as companies tightened their belts. When GenAI emerged, many were left clueless. Instead of upskilling their workforce, they chose layoffs, a short-term solution with long-term repercussions.

Running up the Hill for Young Leaders

Yet, all is not lost. Young leaders have a new hill to climb, and the path is clear:

1. Transition from Golf Courses to LinkedIn: Upskill, reskill, and never stop learning. Even if your company isn't investing in education, platforms like Coursera and LinkedIn Learning are treasure troves waiting to be explored.

2. Carve Your AI Niche: AI is here to stay. Find your place in this new world. Are you a creative, a strategist, or a developer? Your role in the AI ecosystem awaits.

3. Swing the Pendulum to Happy Equilibrium: Don't lose faith in the positive developments of the past century. Authentic leadership, diversity, and inclusion do bring out the best in teams. Hybrid models are the future, balancing remote flexibility with in-office collaboration.

4. Find Your Voice: Stand firm against the outdated paradigms. Be a politician, not a martyr. Influence change, create a following, and seize the opportune moment to lead.

5. Network: In a world more connected than ever, networks are your safety net. Build them, nurture them, and they will support you through every corporate demogorgon battle you face.

6. Have Faith in the Brave New World: Remember, every revolution is tumultuous. The Industrial Revolution, the Tech Revolution, and now the AI Revolution. Embrace the change, for technology, when befriended, is the greatest ally of all.

7. Leadership may feel like it's turned upside down, but within this chaos lies the opportunity to redefine the norms.

In the spirit of the evolving leadership landscape and the myriad challenges and transformations that have arisen in the post-COVID world, let us coin the term "STRIVE":

Shifts - Acknowledging the constant shifts in work paradigms, technology, and global economies

Transformation - Need for continuous transformation and adaptability in strategies, leadership styles

Resilience - Building resilience against unprecedented changes and disruptions

Integration – Of diverse perspectives, digital advancements, and human-centric approaches to leadership

Valorization - New skills, innovations, and employee well-being over traditional metrics of success

Empathy - Prioritizing empathy and emotional intelligence as key leadership qualities

STRIVE represents the collective journey organizations must undertake to navigate the complexities of our times. It highlights the need to be proactive in embracing change (Shifts), the importance of evolving with circumstances (Transformation), the power of enduring through adversity (Resilience), the necessity of bringing together various aspects of business and technology (Integration), the recognition of valuing human and resource potential (Valorization), and the essential role of understanding and compassion in leadership (Empathy).

As leaders and organizations STRIVE in this new era, they not only weather the storms of volatility but also harness the winds of change to sail towards success.