Six Bold Predictions
I've seen the future
Good morning! What’s on tap today:
One chapter is ending and another is beginning (a personal update).
Six bold predictions for the next six years.
One way I can double your investment in your team.
Bottom line up front: I’ve seen the future of leadership and I’m here to tell you what it looks like.
The End of One Chapter
Six years ago last week, I started this “leadership development consultant” journey.
By the grace of God, over the last six years, I’ve accomplished a lot:
I’ve facilitated over 500 hours of workshops,
Coached approximately 50 leaders,
Published two books,
Released over 200 podcast episodes, and
Written around 100 blog entries.
From a career perspective, it is one of the best moves I’ve ever made.
I owe a huge debt of gratitude to Bob and Matt Briggs (my partners at PeopleWorks). They taught me how to serve clients, develop business, and never stop improving. Gentlemen, thank you!
However, this chapter is coming to an end. Next week, I step back into the arena.
The Start of a New Chapter
Earlier this year I was approached by one of my long-time clients and asked to join them as their Chief People Officer (the company is Tacala). In more ways than one, this was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. It’s an amazing company filled with even more amazing people. So, of course, I said, “Yes!”
Next week, I start this new chapter and I couldn’t be more thrilled.
I have no clue what will happen to this Substack in the coming months. I have every intention to keep writing, but this new role deserves all of my professional energy, so I’m not making any promises.
To commemorate this transition, I want to do something different.
Rather than look back and bore you with a list of things I learned over the last six years, today I want to look to the future.
I see some changes coming and I want to help you prepare.
Therefore, below you will find six bold predictions about where I see the world of “leadership” heading over the next six years.
These are based on nothing more than my observations.
If I’m wrong, who cares?
If I’m right, you win!
My Six Bold Predictions
1 - Engaging will become the new bold.
Bold vision will no longer be enough to inspire action.
Why?
Attention spans are shortening and if no one pays attention to your bold vision, then nothing will happen.
Over the next six years, leaders who master the skill of “engaging communication” will be the ones who inspire action. Charisma won’t matter anymore.
The leaders who win will know how to hold people’s attention in a one-to-one, one-to-few, and one-to-many setting.
Boring is out. Engaging is in.
2 - Emotional regulation will become the new discipline.
My favorite fitness influencer, Dan Go, says “getting in shape is 10% discipline and 90% emotional regulation.”
He’s 100% right, and this principle applies to leadership too.
Over the next six years, the best leaders will be those who know how to stay calm and hopeful in the middle of change.
Impulsivity, pouting, passive aggressiveness, gossip, blame, pity parties, bullying, anger — these tactics will be wholly ineffective.
Immaturity is out. Adulting is in.
3 - Facing Awkwardaphobia will become the new courage.
Awkwardaphobia (the fear of engaging in potentially awkward conversations) is plaguing Corporate America.
If you could eavesdrop on a coaching session, one of the most common phrases you’d hear me say is “Well, it sounds like you need to have a conversation.”
Over the next six years, courageous leaders will not be those who dream up new blue ocean strategies. They will be the ones who say what needs to be said.
Waiting for the perfect moment is out. Saying what needs to be said is in.
4 - Questions will become the new content.
Daniel Pink recently said, “We live in a world saturated with right answers, that means the premium has shifted to who can ask the best questions.”
I think he’s spot on.
It’s no longer enough to have “answers.”
Now, to separate yourself, you need to be a great question asker.
A great question makes someone think.
It forces someone to use the answers they already have.
Answers are out. Questions are in.
5 - Access will become the new care.
When I was a new dad, I remember someone telling me, “Kids spell love T-I-M-E.“ I have been a parent for almost 18 years, and I can say, without a doubt, that is true.
This principle applies to work too, just in a slightly different way.
People don’t want to passively follow their boss like they follow someone on social media.
They want access. They want an active relationship.
It’s not enough to have a title or a prominent photo on the company website.
Time and attention are what people want from their leaders.
Influence will follow real connection.
Aloofness is out. Attention is in.
6 - Middle managers will become the new executives.
For decades, executive leaders have gotten all the attention.
But the problems that need solving are too complex for a small team of executives to accomplish alone.
The real movement won’t happen at the top. It will happen in the middle.
The valley is where things consistently get done, and where they will continue to get done.
It’s where culture lives or dies.
Top-down is out. Middle-out is in.
This is just good-bye for now, not forever.
Thank you to everyone who’s been following along during this current chapter. The story isn’t over—for any of us. A new chapter begins soon, and when it does, your inbox will be the first to know.
I’ll Double Your Investment
If you pick up copies of The Fog of Work for your team, I’ll throw in some fun swag, or a virtual session with the team, or maybe even a live in-person session.
I’m happy to do this all at no charge. If you and your team invest time reading the book, I’m happy to double your investment as a “thank you.”
I did this last week with a team from Neodent and it was so fun. I received this email from the team leader after the session:
If interested, let me know and I’ll get you the best possible pricing on the book.
Before you go…
My go-to Taco Bell order is the Cheesy Bean and Rice Burrito. IYKYK.
My go-to 7-Brew order is a simple Americano.
Speaking of coffee, my friend Jake Smith recently started a coffee roasting company here in Dallas and he’s absolutely crushing it. His coffees from Burundi have been stellar. He ships anywhere in the country.
A 7th bold prediction: a team with a losing record will make the playoffs in the American League this year.
Thanks for reading!
-Adam
Congratulations brother!
Your 6 bold predictions are spot on!!!
Congrats on the new role Adam! As a Gen Z "Zoomer" I totally agree on your predictions. These are the same trends I've seen with my young professional friends. They follow engaging leaders, expect emotional regulation, and their careers will advance at the pace they're willing to take on awkward conversations. Grateful for the resources you've provided!