Six Characteristics of 21st Century Leadership

Link to the Forbes.com article. (opens new window)

The Forbes.com article "Six Characteristics of 21st Century Leadership" details six traits that, Western Union President for the Americas and European Union Region, Odilon Almeida embodies and believes define what it means to be a leader in the 21st century. 

1.  Keep your Immigrant Perspective (See Opportunity in Everything)
2.  Employ your Circular Vision (Anticipate the Unexpected)
3.  Unleash your Passionate Pursuits (Strive for Excellence)
4.  Live with an Entrepreneurial Spirit (Innovation Comes Second Nature)
5.  Work with a Generous Purpose (Share Momentum with Others)
6.  Embrace your Cultural Promise (Lead to Leave a Legacy)

The twenty first century is at the pinnacle of change. Literally everything around us is constantly being innovated and changed. We have jobs now that weren't anticipated even five years ago. Whole professions invented due to the speed of innovation. Someone started each and every one of them. They saw something that others did not, and they ran with it; they knew what they were doing before anyone else even knew they could do it. 

Microsoft as a company was started April 4, 1975. Today it is ranked 34th in all of Fortune 500 companies. Bill Gates himself is richer than 140 separate countries. A business, started in a garage by a college droppout, became a software powerhouse, and that dropout became the world richest man. He saw his opportunity and he took it. Leading his company through the adversity of a digital revolution and keeping it both relevant and powerful. His is a legacy that people the world over recognize today, changing lives the world over, giving opportunity to millions, and opening up the software industry. As a leader he embodies all six of these traights in one form or another, and it shows in the success of Microsoft. 


Other links
http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2009-10-02/news/28468983_1_richest-man-richest-persons-forbes
http://www.accountingdegree.com/blog/2011/10-big-businesses-that-started-in-a-garage/
http://www.forbes.com/sites/kerryadolan/2015/03/02/inside-the-2015-forbes-billionaires-list-facts-and-figures/