The Modern Path to Leadership Requires Sacrifice and Adaptation

THE MODERN PATH to Leadership is not just about authority or managing others - it's about navigating a rapidly changing landscape and empowering teams in a way that promotes innovation, inclusivity, and resilience. This requires both sacrifice and adaptation.

- Srinath Sridharan & Steve Correa

Becoming a leader is often portrayed as the culmination of years of dedication, skill, and ambition. However, the reality of leadership, particularly in today's corporate world, is far more complex and frequently misunderstood.

It is not simply about advancing up the career ladder but about managing the delicate balance between a leader's vision and the rapidly shifting environment in which businesses operate and being able to adapt effectively.

Ashok Mehta (a representative name) was a corporate finance professional who struggled to adapt despite his exceptional technical abilities and the respect of his peers as his industry evolved. His success was built on years of hard work and meritocracy. Yet, as disruptive technologies, younger talent, and increasingly complex regulations reshaped the business, his expertise began to lose relevance. His resistance to change and difficulty transitioning from specialist to strategist ultimately hindered his leadership potential.

Ashok's example shows that leadership today demands much more than competence in a specific domain. Today's leaders must step beyond their experience, anticipate future disruptions, and navigate uncertainty while sacrificing some qualities that initially propelled their careers.

The focus must shift from individual achievement to collective success, from holding power to empowering others. Regardless of their prior accomplishments, those unable to make this transition risk being sidelined.