Leadership Has Changed—And So Have We

I've watched leadership evolve dramatically over the past decade, and honestly, the old playbook doesn't work anymore. Yesterday's leaders could get away with being distant figureheads, but today's teams demand something completely different—they want leaders who are real people, not corporate robots.

The leaders I respect most now are the ones who admit when they don't have all the answers. They're comfortable saying "I messed up" or "I'm still learning too." This vulnerability isn't weakness—it's what builds genuine trust with teams who can spot fake authenticity from miles away.

What strikes me most is how today's leaders have become coaches rather than commanders. They're obsessed with helping their people grow, even if it means those people eventually outgrow their current roles. They understand that in our fast-changing world, rigid hierarchies kill innovation.

The expectations have shifted entirely. We want leaders who care about our whole selves, not just our productivity. Leaders who prioritize mental health, champion diversity meaningfully, and actually live their values instead of just posting them on conference room walls.