Leilani

Leadership theories try to explain how and why certain people become leaders. Some theories focus on leaders' characteristics, while others attempt to identify behaviours that people can adopt.

Previously, debates on the psychology of leadership suggested that these were inherent skills. However, recent theories propose that while certain traits may help natural leaders, experience and situational variables also play a vital role.

Charisma is the ability to convince followers that you can influence other members of a broader group to cooperate.

In tough times, people want leaders who can make a compelling pitch and inspire a sense of urgency - someone with charisma.

• Teacher: being a role model, provides information, and understands what the mentee needs.
• Sponsor: helping the mentee with opportunities and promotes the mentee's skills to others.
• Cheerleader: serves as a motivation and challenge at the same time to help the mentee improve.
• Counselor: listening, clarifying, and giving the mentee advice.
• Friend: engaging in more than a professional relationship to support the mentee in his personal and professional growth.

We can't have it all and do it all by ourselves. Building a supportive community across work colleagues and your personal life creates a balance to enable you to handle challenges and do more.

Model behaviors that encourage balance, and talk openly about what balance looks like. It means spending extra effort to deliver on a deadline can be balanced with flexibility and personal time. It means balancing business growth with a focus on career growth for individuals. And, it means proving employees with the tools and permission to find their right balance.

Hiring, according to top corporate leaders, should not just be the standard job interview, which has become predictable and routine, but something creative and challenging.

One has to find new ways to find out how a person thinks, taking them out of their ‘seat of comfort’. Allowing candidates to speak their mind, or providing them challenging situations to work on can be a better indicator of their employability.

• Karl Friston, a neuroscientist, published a radical theory called the ‘Free Energy Principle’ that has the neuroscience field in a tizzy. His papers, published in various journals, are heavily cited and discussed.
• Friston also invented statistical parameter mapping, a brain-scanning technique that allows neuroscientists, for the first time in history, to access specific brain regions in detail.
• Friston is like a rock star in his profession, having insights in stimulating topics like consciousness, quantum physics and psychedelics.

"May the fourth be with you" plays on the phrase in Star Wars "may the Force be with you."

"May the fourth be with you" was popularized by Margaret Thatcher and the United Kingdom's Conservative Party. On May 4, 1979, Margaret Thatcher became the first woman Prime Minister of the U.K. To celebrate, the Tories took out a newspaper ad, which stated, "May The Fourth Be With You, Maggie. Congratulations."

In order to make sure that the team members make the most of their creativity, leaders should focus on creating working spaces where individuals feel at ease with each other and, therefore, feel free to share their ideas. Furthermore, it is essential that your team's creativity is acknowledged and praised.

By 2030, up to 30 to 40 percent of all workers in developed countries may need to move into new occupations or upgrade their skill sets. Skilled workers in short supply will become even scarcer. Any company that doesn't join the early adopters and doesn't address its underlying talent needs may fall short of reaching its goals.

When faced with a difficult decision, set a date or time for you to come to a conclusion. Doing this forces a habit of self-trust.

You will be right sometimes, and other times you'll be wrong. However, making a decision is more important than waiting for an outside force to decide for you.