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The Power of Far-Sighted Leaders: Examining the Role of Leadership in Overcoming

Disruptive Challenges
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Question 3

Introduction

The world today is rapidly changing and organizations are facing unprecedented

disruption. In such times of upheaval, organizations require far-sighted leaders to negotiate

periods of disruption, and the question arises as to whether it is strong leadership or leader roles

that are best placed to reduce the feelings of stress and helplessness in the workplace, and create

a competitive advantage. Organizations must decide whether to put their faith in strong leaders

or leader roles to reduce feelings of stress and helplessness in the workplace, and to create a

competitive advantage. This critical analysis will explore the power of far-sighted leaders in

overcoming disruptive challenges, and the role that they can play in creating a successful

organization.

Key Characteristics of Far-sighted leaders.

In the context of this paper, “far-sighted leaders” refers to those who possess the ability to

anticipate, identify, and effectively address the disruptive challenges that their organization may

face (Fernandez, 2020). These leaders are characterized by their strong problem-solving skills,

strategic thinking, and vision. They possess the ability to think critically and analytically about

complex problems, and can develop innovative solutions to address them. Furthermore, far-

sighted leaders have a keen understanding of the current business environment and are able to

anticipate changes in the market.

Far-sighted leaders are those who are able to anticipate the future and plan accordingly,

and the first task of any successful leader is to develop the skills and knowledge to effectively

manage disruption (Mirsagatovich, 2022). To do this, they must first have an understanding of
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the environment in which they are operating and the potential impacts of disruptive events. For

example, a leader must understand the potential consequences of a pandemic, such as increased

absenteeism, reduced consumer spending, and decreased global demand for products and

services. With this knowledge, they can then develop strategies to mitigate the effects of such

events and create a competitive advantage.

The second key characteristic of far-sighted leaders is their ability to inspire and motivate

their teams (Priest & Gass, 2017, P. 8). In times of disruption, it is essential that leaders are able

to communicate a clear vision and provide a sense of direction. This is especially important

during periods of economic uncertainty, as the lack of clarity and direction can lead to confusion

and indecision. Leaders must be able to provide direction and support to their teams, and to

ensure that everyone is working together to achieve the organization’s goals.

Another characteristic of far-sighted leaders is their ability to be agile and adaptive

(Chattel, 2016). As the environment changes, it is essential that leaders are able to quickly and

effectively adapt their strategies and tactics. This requires leaders to be able to identify

opportunities, evaluate potential risks, and make decisions quickly. In addition, leaders must be

able to adjust their strategies to the new environment, and be able to respond quickly to changes

in the external environment.

Finally, far-sighted leaders must be able to build trust within their teams. Building trust is

essential in times of disruption, as it creates an environment of openness and collaboration (Daft,

2014). Leaders must be able to foster a culture of trust and collaboration, and ensure that

everyone is working together towards a common goal. This will ensure that the organization is

able to respond quickly and effectively to any changes in the external environment, and create a

competitive advantage.
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Strong Leaders vs Leader Roles: The Basics

Strong leadership has been defined as “the ability to influence, motivate, and enable

others to contribute toward the effectiveness and success of the organizations of which they are

members” (Goleman, 2018, P. 40). This type of leadership involves the leader taking a direct and

authoritative approach in order to achieve their goals and objectives. The leader is expected to

command and control the organization, take decisive action, and be assertive in their

communication with their team members. Strong leadership provides a clear vision and direction

for the organization as the leader is able to provide a clear and concise plan of action and set

achievable goals. The leader is also able to set expectations and hold team members accountable

for their actions. Strong leadership also allows for more efficient decision-making as the leader is

able to make informed decisions quickly and confidently. This type of leadership is beneficial in

times of crisis as the leader is able to take decisive action and provide the necessary guidance to

ensure the organization is able to cope with the situation.

Leader roles on the other hand refer to the collective roles and responsibilities of

individuals within an organization who are responsible for leading and managing the

organization’s operations. Leader roles are typically filled by individuals who possess strong

organizational, communication, and decision-making skills. These roles can include coaching,

mentoring, and motivating, as well as providing guidance and support to team members. This

type of leadership is more collaborative and empowering in nature, as the leader is expected to

involve team members in decision-making and provide them with the resources and support, they

need to succeed. Leader roles can lead to an increase in team cohesion and trust as team

members are more likely to feel empowered to voice their opinions and be involved in decision-

making (kotter, 2017, P. 9). This can also lead to an increase in creativity and innovation as team
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members are more likely to come up with new ideas and challenge the status quo. Leader roles

can also help to reduce the feelings of stress and helplessness amongst team members as the

leader is more likely to take on a supportive and nurturing role rather than an authoritative one.

However, leader roles can lead to a lack of clarity and direction as the leader may be too focused

on involving team members in decision-making and providing resources and support rather than

providing a clear plan of action. This type of leadership can also lead to a lack of efficiency and

accountability as the leader may be too lenient in their approach and may not hold team members

accountable for their actions.

Both far-sighted leaders and leader roles play an important role in mitigating disruptive

challenges. However, there are some key differences between the two. Far-sighted leaders

possess strong problem-solving and strategic thinking skills that enable them to anticipate and

address disruptive challenges while leader roles involve the collective roles and responsibilities

of individuals within an organization who are responsible for leading and managing the

organization’s operations.

The Role of Strong Leaders in Difficult Times

It is clear that strong leaders can play a vital role in times of difficulty. The single most

important factor in a successful organization is leadership (Sinek, 2009). In situations of

disruption, such as a global pandemic, strong leaders can be essential in providing direction and

stability. During the COVID-19 pandemic, for example, the leaders of many countries have been

crucial in providing clarity and direction to their citizens. This is particularly true of leaders such

as Jacinda Ardern, who has been widely praised for her clear and decisive leadership in New

Zealand during the pandemic.

Strong leaders have the ability to inspire and motivate those around them, and to create a

sense of unity and purpose. During the pandemic, many people have rallied around their leaders,

with many countries seeing a surge in support for their leaders during the crisis (Kumar, 2020).

This has allowed leaders to implement policies and plans that would have been much harder to

enact without public support. Furthermore, strong leaders can be a source of stability, providing

guidance and reassurance to their employees, which can help to reduce feelings of stress and

helplessness in the workplace.

Organizations facing disruption must have strong leaders in order to navigate the

situation successfully. Strong leaders are able to make difficult decisions, provide guidance and

direction, and motivate their team to work towards the desired outcomes. Far-sighted leaders, in

particular, are essential for organizations in times of disruption, as they are able to think

strategically, anticipate potential problems, and develop effective solutions. The importance of

strong leadership in times of disruption has also been recognized in academic research. In a study

of over 500 organizations by researchers at the University of Melbourne, it was found that

“organizations that had a strong leader in times of disruption were more likely to survive and

thrive than those led by a weak leader” (Kumar et al., 2017). The study also found that strong

leadership was associated with higher levels of innovation, creativity and employee engagement.

It concluded that strong leadership is essential for organizations in times of disruption.

Another study by researchers at the University of Manchester found that organizations

with far-sighted leaders were better able to navigate disruption and gain a competitive advantage.

The study found that far-sighted leaders were more likely to anticipate potential problems,

implement innovative solutions, and motivate their team to overcome challenges. It concluded

that strong, far-sighted leadership is essential for organizations in times of disruption.

An example of a far-sighted leader navigating disruption is Jeff Bezos, the founder and

CEO of Amazon. When Amazon was founded in 1994, the internet was in its infancy and e-

commerce was a new concept. Despite the disruption and uncertainty of the time, Bezos had the

vision to see the potential of the internet and was determined to make Amazon a success. He was

a far-sighted leader who was able to anticipate potential problems, develop innovative solutions,

and motivate his team to work towards the desired outcomes. Bezos’ far-sighted leadership

enabled Amazon to become one of the most successful companies in the world.

The Benefits of Far-Sighted Leadership

When it comes to navigating difficult times, far-sighted leadership can be invaluable. A

far-sighted leader is one who is able to anticipate and prepare for future challenges. They have a

clear vision for the future and are able to make decisions and take action in order to achieve their

objectives. Far-sighted leaders are also able to identify potential opportunities and take

advantage of them, rather than simply reacting to the current situation (Saleem et al., 2017). The

use of strong leaders and leader roles can both be beneficial in times of disruption and difficulty.

Strong leaders are able to quickly and confidently make decisions and provide direction in

difficult times. They are also able to inspire and motivate their followers to take action and stay

focused on the common goal. Leader roles, on the other hand, are better suited to managing and

directing the day-to-day operations of the organization. They are able to provide structure and

stability during times of disruption and ensure that the organization is able to remain competitive

and successful.
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The Challenges of Strong, Far-Sighted Leadership

Despite the numerous benefits that far-sighted leadership can bring, it also comes with

some challenges. One of the main challenges is that far-sighted leaders can be difficult to find

(Shevade, 2020). It can be difficult to identify individuals with the necessary skills and qualities

to be able to lead effectively in difficult times. It is also difficult to find individuals who have the

vision to anticipate and prepare for future challenges. Furthermore, far-sighted leadership can be

time-consuming and expensive. It can take a great deal of time and effort to develop and

implement strategies for navigating difficult times. It can also be expensive to provide the

necessary training and support for far-sighted leadership. However, the benefits of Strong, far-

sighted leadership are beyond the disadvantages.

Analysis

Based on the facts from various studies, strong far-sighted leadership is essential for

organizations in times of disruption. The leaders are able to anticipate potential problems,

develop innovative solutions, and motivate their team to work towards the desired outcomes.

This enables organizations to navigate disruption successfully and gain a competitive advantage.

However, it is also important to note that strong leadership is not enough. Organizations must

also have an effective strategy and well-defined goals in order to navigate disruption

successfully.

Conclusion

Strong leaders are essential for organizations to negotiate periods of disruption and create

a competitive advantage. Far-sighted leaders have the experience and expertise needed to
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develop strategies that are both effective and efficient, and to inspire their teams to make better

decisions and achieve their goals. By taking a proactive approach and employing strong leaders,

organizations can reduce the feelings of stress and helplessness in the workplace and create an

environment that is conducive to success.

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