Quantum Leadership: Leading in the Age of Exponential Change
Dean Miles, MA - Executive Coach
Contributor to the Wall Street Journal Bestseller 'Becoming Coachable', Doctoral Student, C-Suite & Teams Coach, Marshall Goldsmith 100 Coaches, Fellow Harvard Institute of Coaching, LinkedIn Top Voice
Willow: A Quantum Leap Forward
"What got you here won't get you there." - Marshall Goldsmith
In a world where the pace of change seems to accelerate by the minute, Google's unveiling of their latest quantum computer, Willow, marks another leap into the future. Announced just days ago, Willow promises to solve computational problems in mere minutes that would take traditional supercomputers longer than the age of the universe.
Willow isn't just another chip; it's a testament to human ingenuity, reducing errors exponentially as it scales up. With its 105 qubits, it's not only about speed but about redefining what's possible. This breakthrough in quantum computing is a metaphor for the kind of leadership we need today - one that can navigate through multiple realities, adapt with agility, and innovate beyond conventional limits.
Learning from the Best - My Mentor, Marshall Goldsmith
I've been fortunate to learn from one of the world's foremost experts on leadership behavior, Marshall Goldsmith. For those unfamiliar, Marshall is not just a mentor but a friend who has profoundly influenced my understanding of leadership. His groundbreaking work has reshaped how leaders view personal growth and impact.
"True leadership transformation comes from altering personal behaviors - not just understanding concepts."
The Challenge: We Don't Need More Complexity
As leaders, we're already overwhelmed. The last thing we need is another complex, abstract framework. What we need are practical, implementable behaviors that can create quantum-level impacts. With Marshall Goldsmith in mind, I have created seven practical behaviors for quantum leadership frameworks.
Seven Practical Behaviors for Quantum Leadership
1. Scenario Surfing
The Behavior: Keep multiple strategic scenarios in play simultaneously.
The Practice: Begin key meetings with quick "what-if" scenarios to maintain strategic flexibility.
"In the quantum world, particles exist in multiple states simultaneously. Great leaders maintain multiple strategic possibilities until the moment of decision."
2. Holistic Decision-Making
The Behavior: Consider the entire ecosystem of your decisions.
The Practice: Map potential impacts across departments, partners, and supply chains before major decisions.
3. Big Leap Mindset
The Behavior: Seek opportunities for breakthrough innovation.
The Practice: Dedicate specific time in strategy sessions for "moonshot" thinking.
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"Innovation isn't about small steps; it's about quantum leaps that transform possibilities into realities."
4. Flexi-Leadership
The Behavior: Switch between visionary and tactical modes based on context.
The Practice: Lead with inspiration during planning, pivot to detailed guidance during execution.
5. Plan Lightly, Adapt Quickly
The Behavior: Maintain flexible plans that evolve with new information.
The Practice: Structure work in short sprints with regular reassessment points.
6. Team Harmony
The Behavior: Foster alignment while maximizing collective potential.
The Practice: Hold regular alignment sessions connecting individual work to organizational goals.
7. Change as Opportunity
The Behavior: View disruption as a catalyst for innovation.
The Practice: When change occurs, immediately explore potential advantages rather than just risks.
Making It Work: Practical Implementation
Daily Practices
Weekly Rituals
"The best frameworks aren't the most complicated—they're the ones you actually use."
The Path Forward
As the buzz around quantum computing grows, so will the interest in how these technological leaps can inform our leadership styles. But remember, the core of leadership remains human - it's about behavior, connection, and impact. Thanks to mentors like Marshall Goldsmith, we have the tools to make these changes practical, immediate, and effective.
Leon's professional passion is to coach Business Owners and Corporate leaders to grow companies, take control of their time, build high performance leadership teams, earn more money, and have more fun!
3wDean -- you laid out very doable and practical behaviors that any Executive can immediately implement. Excellent post Dean.