Free and open educational resources for Afghanistan

Project managers and leaders operate in world influenced by increased volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity (VUCA). To survive and succeed in this VUCA world, leaders need to focus on, creating clarity, building unity, supporting inclusion, and fostering agility to assist in grounding and focusing their people during times of change; which requires both the leader and their team to be focused, committed, engaged, involved and flexible. This approach is the antithesis of old school ‘command and control’ management rooted in the 19th century concepts of scientific management where the leaders message was ‘Follow my instructions or else’. Modern leadership (and management) requires a radical shift from this one-way communication style to a two way conversation; the leader’s role is not to tell people how to be followers but to listen to them about how to be a leader and use persuasion and influence to build agreement. This White Paper focuses on the foundation of leadership applicable to all cultures and styles.