There are times when we just jump up with enthusiasm and volunteer for a task without thinking of what all is involved. Have you ever wondered; what does that mean? What does it mean to hurry on up and be the first one in line, or to rush on down to get the first copy of a new book you just have to get your hands on? Is the personality of that high strung get it done type individual the leadership type personality? Leadership is about the willingness to take on responsibilities and being held accountable for outcomes that are progressive and productive.

Though one may define leadership as being held accountable and other noun action verbs or words that describe leadership; it of course is much more than that. Recent studies and research conducted by: Development Dimensions International (DDI), convey to us that with the baby boomers going into retirement age there will be a shortage in middle to top leadership roles. Paraphrasing the findings of the study it further stipulates, that forty to fifty percent of the executives will be departing the workforce and that we currently do not have the people prepared to replace them. So how do we apply this information to the thought as to whether or not one is a leader?

In my view never has the time been more prime and ripe for the individual to be thinking of; what role will you play in making our world a better place to live. Someone once said you can never be a leader if you never have been in the role of being led or being the follower of a leader. You see, if you are a follower of a leader or a member of a team led by a leader along the way you have probably picked up some leadership development skills. Additionally, you probably developed some characteristics of personal enhancements that have prepared you to ultimately serve as a leader in a particular situation. The point being made is that leadership is inevitable when involvement and participation is inclusive in the process of implementing initiatives; whether personally, professionally and/or socially!

Recently, when speaking to a group of about three hundred youth I made the statement that if you are not well prepared academically; the twenty first century is going to be brutal! If you know that there is a shortage of middle and senior level executives in the workforce then the thought needs to be fostered on what will be your role in pursuit of finding one’s leadership role. It will come down to commitment and devotion to make change, change that will be part of producing a generation of competent senior level leaders.

What is meant by the brutality of the unprepared for the coming century? What is meant by that question is that competition will be fierce. Skills development will be more technical as technology will play a significant role in all aspects of human existence. Through the private sector companies will be seeking high level super humans to run their corporations. As public sector officials will be also looking for the very best to manage in the world of public administration. This is why it is important to develop a personal leadership planning agenda, in order to keep focus on the issues at hand.

If you are not sure where you lie on the organizational calendar of leadership; may I suggest that you take a hard look at personal successive planning. Personal successive planning will allow you to take charge of your own destiny and will provide you with the tools to guide you along in a world dying for leaders. Leaders that can lead based on millennium, generalization and futuristic thinking. One constantly needs to be working at observing the trends that are manifesting in organizations. As Corporations continue to merge with other corporations for their survival the paradigm shifting will be a test for the astute leader who decides early on I want to be a leader.

The future leader will need to play the role of being a scouting talent recruiter in search for that young crop of talent that have the skills to perform in the era of technology coupled with the dynamics of human relations. Technology will continue to play a major role in leadership development and executives will be required to train, rotate job positioning, specialized assignments and serve as a teacher, coach and mentor.

About the Author

If you would like more from Dr. Richard C. Baiz, D.B.A. on Personal and Leadership Development and his Leadership Institute click on the the link provided: http://www.leadershipinstituteofsuccess.comDr. Baiz is a Doctorate in Business Administration.