Relevant With The Times

For the next three posts, I wanted to share a trio of things that I see as being Facets of Relevancy for leadership. These three things are broad sectors in which leaders can show their relevance to their followers. These are things that every leader can easily do, and they are things that every leader needs to do. Relevant leadership is key to a leader who wants to have sustained success with his or her organizational mission and a true connection with his or her followers.

The first thing that leaders need to be relevant with is this: Leaders need to be relevant with the times.

This does not mean that leaders need to be up to date with what Lindsay Lohan is doing or who Paris Hilton is dating. They do not need to be hip to the jive for all of the new dance steps or have a Myspace page. They do not need to wear skinny jeans or own an ipod (although they should…the ipod, not the skinny jeans).

But leaders should strive to be relevant with the times in ways that affect their followers. Leaders should seek to know the trends going on in the world outside of the office. Leaders should try to be aware of the new thoughts and thought patterns of the younger generation. They should look for a general feel and a vibe and sense the subtle shiftings of society.

Followers can tell when a leader is out of touch with the times. Followers can sense when a leader is not trying to immerse himself or herself into the relevant culture. Leaders need to be relevant with what is going on in the world, in society, in the community, and in today’s day.

Relevant leaders are relevant with the times.