The Chinese proverb, “Learning is like rowing upstream. Not to advance is to drop back,” emphasizes the importance of continuous learning, especially in the context of leadership development. In today’s global, decentralized, and dynamic world, aspiring leaders must prioritize their own development and be ready to adapt to ever-changing realities.
A valuable resource for emerging leaders is the book “Modern Achievement: A New Approach to Timeless Lessons for Aspiring Leaders” by Asheesh Advani and Marshall Goldsmith. Advani, the CEO of Junior Achievement Worldwide, and Goldsmith, a renowned management advisor, provide a guide for leaders who want to grow and achieve.
According to Advani, the achievement landscape today is more diverse, global, and dynamic than in past decades. With the World Economic Forum reporting that more than 60% of jobs have not been invented yet, it’s no longer about getting into one college or landing that one first job. Instead, it’s about developing a mindset and skillset that allows one to thrive in the job market of the future.
Advani advocates a fixed-flexible-freestyle leadership framework. This framework promotes adaptability, which is crucial in today’s rapidly changing world. It allows for a balance between principled guidance (fixed), adaptable strategies (flexible), and personal empowerment (freestyle). This framework has been beneficial for Junior Achievement in its organizational collaboration and goal setting.
In his book, Advani discusses the importance of meritocracy, emphasizing the value of merit and achievement while being mindful of social inequities. He also highlights the role of optimism in a person’s ability to achieve, stating that optimistic individuals view setbacks as temporary and believe that roadblocks can be navigated.
Advani also advocates “meta-learning,” a process that involves stepping back from learning to ask critical questions and make connections to other experiences. This process helps people gain deeper insights and reflect on what they have learned.
When it comes to finding a good mentor, Advani suggests being intentional about making friends who are older and understanding how you can support the goals and interests of your mentors. He also differentiates between sequential tasking and multitasking, advocating for the former as it allows for deeper engagement and quality outcomes.
Finally, Advani advises thinking “and,” not “or,” to enhance achievement by expanding perspectives and opening up more possibilities. Balancing simplicity with complexity is another skill Advani advocates, citing the ability to manage complexity while distilling the core of an organization’s products, services, and values to simple terms as essential for leadership.
