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Leadership Lessons All Future Leaders Need to Know

Future leaders must reinvent their styles and attitudes with changing times

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Since time immemorial, there has been a lot of emphasis on leaders and leadership.  What fascinates this area is still a mystery throughout history.  Although a lot of research has been done, it is still unpredictable what makes an individual a leader.

In addition, there is also a debate about whether the leaders are born or made.  

Often the leadership legends looked back to learn lessons from their past successful leaders whenever they faced leadership crises. 

For instance, several American Presidents looked back to the leaders like George Washington and Abraham Lincoln whenever they were beset with challenges.  It helped them learn lessons and overcome the challenges.  

The question that arises here is whether what worked in the past will work in the future.  The answer to this is both yes and no.  It appears strange, right?  Let us look at the same.

The concept of leadership remains the same at the core level as the nature of the people remains the same at the core.  

At the same time, there is a need for changes in leadership with the changing times and technologies at the surface level to stay relevant and successful for future survival and success.   

For instance, leadership in the past believed in the concept of ‘command and control’ and now it is more of ‘collaboration and partnering’.  It is at the surface level.  However, qualities like character, example, and influence remain the same at the core level.   

Hence, let us look at a few touchstones of future leaders that are the blend of past, present, and future. 

Touchstones for Future Leaders

There are several lessons for budding and upcoming leaders to take on future battles effectively.  They need to learn lessons from their failures.  

As a leader, you need to start knocking down obstacles.  You need to know your weaknesses and move forward.  You should not allow people to know your weaknesses.  

You need to put up a brave front always. As a leader, you need to set an example to influence others.   

Let us look at a few more in a nutshell:

    • Character is the key to leadership as Norman Schwarzkopf rightly put it, “The main ingredient of good leadership is good character.  This is because leadership involves conduct and conduct is determined by values.”   
    • Always take the long view.
    • Listen to all and unfurl your ideas.
    • Although it sounds strange, it is better to befriend your enemies to ensure your survival and success. 
    • Achieve your goals at a reasonable expense.
    • It is the personal power, not the positional power that counts in the end. 
    • Emphasize the ideas and the issues of the individuals.
    • There are no competitors but only collaborators as yesterday’s competitors are today’s collaborators.  
    • Learn lessons in difficult situations. 
    • Use soft rather than hard power.  

Future Leaders

The future leaders must be a blend of doers, planners, and teachers.  They must build the capabilities and competencies of their people.  They must empower their people.  

What worked in the past might not work in the future as the leadership scenario has changed drastically.  

For instance, Winston Churchill was a wartime hero but failed as a leader during peacetime.

As there is always a change of guard from one generation to another, every generation must pass on the knowledge to the next generation so that the future generations can survive without making mistakes. 

The new generation learns and adopts the new things that become the surface and also retains the old things that become the core. 

A Take-Home Message

Famously said by Helen Keller, “Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood.”

It is a fact that although times and technologies change, the leadership principles and values that guide human nature do not change in totality.  

However, there is a need to change things at the surface level to tackle future challenges without compromising core values and morals. 

Therefore, the upcoming leaders and future leaders must reinvent their styles and attitudes with changing times to stand out from the pack and soar like eagles.

Professor M.S. Rao, Ph. D., is a 21st-century Philosopher and the Father of “Soft Leadership.” He is an International Leadership Guru and the Founder of MSR Leadership Consultants, India. He has forty-four years of diversified experience, including military, and is the author of fifty-four books, including the award-winning See the Light in You.

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9 Harsh Truths Every Young Man Must Face to Succeed in the Modern World

Before chasing success, every young man needs to face these 9 brutal realities shaping masculinity in the modern world.

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Many young men today quietly battle depression, loneliness, and a sense of confusion about who they’re meant to be.

Some blame the lack of deep friendships or romantic relationships. Others feel lost in a digital world that often labels traditional masculinity as “toxic.”

But the truth is this: becoming a man in the modern age takes more than just surviving. It takes resilience, direction, and a willingness to grow even when no one’s watching.

Success doesn’t arrive by accident or luck. It’s built on discipline, sacrifice, and consistency.

Here are 9 harsh truths every young man should know if he wants to thrive, not just survive, in the digital age.

1. Never Use Your Illness as an Excuse

As Dr. Jordan B. Peterson often says, successful people don’t complain; they act.

Your illness, hardship, or struggle shouldn’t define your limits; it should define your motivation. Rest when you must, but always get back up and keep building your dreams. Motivation doesn’t appear magically. It comes after you take action.

Here are five key lessons I’ve learned from Dr. Peterson:

  • Learn to write clearly; clarity of thought makes you dangerous.

  • Read quality literature in your free time.

  • Nurture a strong relationship with your family.

  • Share your ideas publicly; your voice matters.

  • Become a “monster”, powerful, but disciplined enough to control it.

The best leaders and thinkers are grounded. They welcome criticism, adapt quickly, and keep moving forward no matter what.

2. You Can’t Please Everyone And That’s Okay

You don’t need a crowd of people to feel fulfilled. You need a few friends who genuinely accept you for who you are.

If your circle doesn’t bring out your best, it’s okay to walk away. Solitude can be a powerful teacher. It gives you space to understand what you truly want from life. Remember, successful men aren’t people-pleasers; they’re purpose-driven.

3. You Can Control the Process, Not the Outcome

Especially in creative work, writing, business, or content creation, you control effort, not results.

You might publish two articles a day, but you can’t dictate which one will go viral. Focus on mastery, not metrics. Many great writers toiled for years in obscurity before anyone noticed them. Rejection, criticism, and indifference are all part of the path.

The best creators focus on storytelling, not applause.

4. Rejection Is Never Personal

Rejection doesn’t mean you’re unworthy. It simply means your offer, idea, or timing didn’t align.

Every successful person has faced rejection repeatedly. What separates them is persistence and perspective. They see rejection as feedback, not failure. The faster you learn that truth, the faster you’ll grow.

5. Women Value Comfort and Security

Understanding women requires maturity and empathy.

Through books, lectures, and personal growth, I’ve learned that most women desire a man who is grounded, intelligent, confident, emotionally stable, and consistent. Some want humor, others intellect, but nearly all want to feel safe and supported.

Instead of chasing attention, work on self-improvement. Build competence and confidence, and the rest will follow naturally.

6. There’s No Such Thing as Failure, Only Lessons

A powerful lesson from Neuro-Linguistic Programming: failure only exists when you stop trying.

Every mistake brings data. Every setback builds wisdom. The most successful men aren’t fearless. They’ve simply learned to act despite fear.

Be proud of your scars. They’re proof you were brave enough to try.

7. Public Speaking Is an Art Form

Public speaking is one of the most valuable and underrated skills a man can master.

It’s not about perfection; it’s about connection. The best speakers tell stories, inspire confidence, and make people feel seen. They research deeply, speak honestly, and practice relentlessly.

If you can speak well, you can lead, sell, teach, and inspire. Start small, practice at work, in class, or even in front of a mirror, and watch your confidence skyrocket.

8. Teaching Is Leadership in Disguise

Great teachers are not just knowledgeable. They’re brave, compassionate, and disciplined.

Teaching forces you to articulate what you know, and in doing so, you master it at a deeper level. Whether you’re mentoring a peer, leading a team, or sharing insights online, teaching refines your purpose.

Lifelong learners become lifelong leaders.

9. Study Human Nature to Achieve Your Dreams

One of the toughest lessons to accept: most people are self-interested.

That’s not cynicism, it’s human nature. Understanding this helps you navigate relationships, business, and communication more effectively.

Everyone has a darker side, but successful people learn to channel theirs productively into discipline, creativity, and drive.

Psychology isn’t just theory; it’s a toolkit. Learn how people think, act, and decide, and you’ll know how to lead them, influence them, and even understand yourself better.

Final Thoughts

The digital age offers endless opportunities, but only to those who are willing to take responsibility, confront discomfort, and keep improving.

Becoming a man today means embracing the hard truths most avoid.

Because at the end of the day, success isn’t about luck. It’s about who you become when life tests you the most.

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