Balmer - Quantum Leadership: Igniting the limitless power of people in disruptive times

QUANTUM

LEADERSHIP

QUANTUM

LEADERSHIP

Igniting the limitless power of people in disruptive times

Rob Balmer

Published in 2021 by Robert Balmer

Robert Balmer

Pullenvale Road

Pullenvale

Queensland 4069

0425

This book is copyright. Apart from any use permitted under the Copyright Act 1968 and subsequent amendments, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written consent of the publisher and the copyright holder.

The moral rights of the author have been asserted.

Text Robert Balmer 2021

Images Robert Balmer

ISBN 978-0-646-82913-5

Edited by Sophie Church, HistorySmiths

Designed by Lexi Johnstone, Lexi Ink Design & Print

Introduction

Quantum leadership explained

The quantum physics metaphor

Individual quantum levels

Team quantum levels

Organisational quantum levels

The quantum equation

Quantum leadership foundations

IWeYou leadership

Priority management

Motivational and developmental delegation

Emotional intelligence

Increasing capability

Taking a coaching approach

Increasing individual capability

Increasing capability in teams

Increasing capability of organisations

Increasing trust in individuals, teams and organisations

Self-trust

Relationship trust

Organisational trust

Market trust

Societal trust

Trust and quantum leadership

Increasing energy

Increasing potential energy

Increasing kinetic energy

The 4Ms model

Conclusion

Further reading

Acknowledgments

Index

Contents

Introduction

We live in a world that is changing ever more quickly, where social and technological disruptions are everywhere, where innovations can change entire industries at a frighteningly rapid rate, where IT and telecommunications have created a 24/7 never off work environment, and where the instant gratification expectations of many stakeholders create pressure for rapid outcomes. It is my contention that modern organisational leaders need to evolve their leadership approaches to better cater to this environment.

Dont panic! I am not proposing to discard all the great theories and models of leadership that have been espoused. They still have their place and are still very relevant. Many of the leadership theories I have been exposed to over the years certainly deliver great results, particularly when they are applied properly and in a sustained way. However, they tend to drive slower, more gradual, more incremental changes to performance and culture in organisations. They are a bit like a changing tide slow and steady, but the difference between high and low tide can be quite significant. If leaders can create a constant and positive tidal flow in the performance and cultures of their organisations, this is still definitely highly desirable.

I believe, though, that leaders of modern organisations need to add a new approach to their arsenal of leadership skills. They need to be able to drive much faster, more radical changes to performance and culture when they find themselves and their organisations operating in more volatile environments. Such environments will become increasingly normal as we move into the third decade of the twenty-first century. In fact, most organisations are already operating in unpredictable contexts most of the time, even though they may not realise it. Instead of a constant and positive tidal flow, the impact leaders need to create is more like that of a wormhole through space-time, where huge distances can be traversed, and massive changes can occur almost in an instant!

QUANTUM LEADERSHIP

At the time of writing, in mid-2020, the world is in the grip of the Covid-19 pandemic, undoubtedly the biggest sustained global disruption since World War Two. The pandemic and the resulting restrictions and lockdowns have affected every aspect of our lives and forced us all to make changes in the way we live. The crisis has also forced almost every organisation to significantly change the way in which it works and can continue to operate sustainably. Sadly, many organisations will not survive. Those that do will be permanently changed.

While it is easy to view the Covid-19 pandemic as a one-off, out-of- the-blue situation, my view is that it is just a magnified example of the kinds of disruptions that have been happening all around organisations for at least the last years. To be reminded of the global challenges we have already faced this century, it is necessary only to think of events such as 9/11 and the global financial crisis (GFC), and the periods of political and economic instability that followed. In the commercial domain, the expanding list of world-leading organisations that have either ceased to exist, or have had their positions of dominance dramatically weakened, is further evidence of this disruption.

The truth is that the rate of change and disruption will never again be as slow as it is today. It will only continue to accelerate, pushed by factors in our society that are themselves evolving exponentially. Organisations need to become much more fit for change and their leaders need to adapt their leadership approaches to be equally fit for change. Leaders must be able to create positive, adaptive cultures where people can not only survive change, but thrive in it.

Over the last years, I have been led through major changes by some wonderful corporate leaders, from whom I learned many lessons. I was also very fortunate to be able to lead the large and rapidly growing consumer business of Compaq Computer Australia through the explosive growth and volatile market conditions of the 1990s. Since 2004, I have had the honour of leading Executive Central, a company I co-founded, in which capacity I have worked with hundreds of executives and emerging leaders, each attempting to deal with the challenges and opportunities of their own organisations and careers. These experiences, including the many mistakes I have made or experienced others making, have brought me to the point where I feel the time is right to challenge many traditional conventions about organisational leadership.

This book equips leaders with a new approach to leadership that

can be applied at an individual, team, or organisation-wide level and which can produce rapid, positive outcomes in response to rapid change. I share new ways of applying strategies that have proven to be successful both in my own corporate leadership career and for the clients with whom I have had the privilege to work over the last years as an executive coach. I also introduce new strategies that will enhance any leaders capabilities to make a quantum leap in their own leadership skills, enabling them to be better prepared to rise to the challenges of the dynamic, exciting and unpredictable organisational environments that are our new normal.

To further enhance the value that I hope you will take from your reading, I have included QR codes throughout this book which link to additional video content on the topic under discussion. All you need to do is hover your phone or tablets camera over the QR code and you will be provided with a link to the relevant video. I hope you enjoy the additional insights these videos provide.