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Have you noticed a shift in the way leaders are developed and appointed in organizations? A shift that prioritizes credentials over competence, connections over character, and style over substance?

It's a trend that's leaving many of us feeling frustrated, disillusioned, and wondering what happened to the leaders who truly led by example. Leaders who understood that true strength comes not from a title or a degree, but from hard work, dedication, and a deep understanding of the business and its people.

But it's not too late to change course. It's time to reclaim the art of leadership and prioritize the qualities that truly matter. In this article, we'll explore the evolution of leadership and make the case for a return to merit-based leadership development.

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I remember a time when leaders were forged in the fire of experience, when they worked their way up the ranks, earning their stripes and gaining a deep understanding of the business, the industry, and most importantly, the people. They were leaders who commanded respect, not just because of their title, but because of their character, their competence, and their commitment to excellence.

But something's changed over the past decade or so. It seems like we've lost sight of what truly makes a great leader. Today, it's all about the credentials, the connections, and the "woke" initiatives. Don't get me wrong, these things have their value, but they shouldn't come at the expense of substance.

I've seen it time and time again - young, ambitious MBAs, fresh out of business school, being fast-tracked into leadership positions, without ever having to truly earn their stripes. They're armed with theories and frameworks, but they lack the scars, the wisdom, and the emotional intelligence that comes from years of hard work and dedication.

And it's not just the MBAs. Nepotism and connections play a huge role in leadership appointments these days. It's who you know, not what you know. And if you're lucky enough to have the right last name or the right connections, you're basically guaranteed a spot in the C-suite.

Now, I'm not against giving people opportunities or creating a more diverse and inclusive workplace. But let's not forget that leadership is not just about checking boxes or making headlines. It's about making tough decisions, inspiring people, and driving results.

The consequences of this shift are real. We're seeing inexperienced leaders making poor decisions, employees are losing faith in their leaders, and organizations are suffering as a result.

So, what's the solution? I'm not sure, but I do know that we need to get back to basics. We need to start valuing competence over credentials, character over connections, and substance over style. We need to create a leadership model that balances traditional skills with modern demands, a model that rewards hard work, dedication, and a deep understanding of the business and its people.

It's time for us to take a hard look at our leadership development model and ask ourselves, what kind of leaders do we really want to create? Do we want leaders who are truly worthy of the title, or do we just want to check boxes and make headlines?

The choice is ours.

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