Instead of competencies, leadership qualities are a new direction in leadership development

Abstract

The last few years have significantly transformed our thinking about leadership. The Covid-19 pandemic and the effects of the increasing VUCA world have a great influence on what makes a leader and thus his/her organization successful. For leaders, the most important thing is to develop the mindset that leadership is their profession, and they need to develop it every day. In this study, I present the basis of a new methodology developed in practice, which no longer focuses on competencies but rather brings leadership qualities to the public consciousness. CRAFT leadership qualities are creativity, resilience, agility, focus, and trust. Transforming challenges require self-aware leaders who are highly trained in the five CRAFT leadership qualities. CRAFT leadership, as a complex system-wide model, can make a significant contribution to this leadership development. These qualities help present and future professionals to become durable and high-quality.