WEBVTT

1
00:00:00.280 --> 00:00:01.800
On my first day in Davos,

2
00:00:01.800 --> 00:00:06.640
I'm going to begin with a bit
of a provocative statement
- Which is to say that

3
00:00:06.640 --> 00:00:07.880
in uncertain times,

4
00:00:08.080 --> 00:00:12.960
the most important thing you can do as
a leader is to spark the creativity and

5
00:00:12.960 --> 00:00:15.120
imagination of the people around you.

6
00:00:15.160 --> 00:00:18.520
Leadership is about creating
a high energy environment,

7
00:00:18.520 --> 00:00:23.400
a crucible where new ideas and opportunities 
can be born so that we make the world

8
00:00:23.400 --> 00:00:28.280
a better place than we found it. 
At BCG we call this generative leadership.

9
00:00:28.280 --> 00:00:30.320
During times of uncertainty,

10
00:00:30.360 --> 00:00:33.880
it's too easy to pull up the drawbridge
and go into a defensive mode...

11
00:00:34.200 --> 00:00:38.000
and yet we all know that we should look
for the opportunities that the crisis

12
00:00:38.040 --> 00:00:42.200
presents to reimagine and
reinvent our businesses.

13
00:00:43.120 --> 00:00:47.440
Without creativity and imagination,
those opportunities would be missed.

14
00:00:47.920 --> 00:00:49.400
So the question is, therefore:

15
00:00:49.400 --> 00:00:53.120
How can we create this generative
high energy environment? 

16
00:00:53.480 --> 00:00:55.360
First, for clarity,

17
00:00:55.360 --> 00:00:58.680
it's up to leaders to share an
overarching purpose with their teams.

18
00:00:58.760 --> 00:01:02.000
That gives everyone a
clear sense of direction,

19
00:01:02.200 --> 00:01:04.879
a moral compass or 
North Star, if you will. 

20
00:01:04.879 --> 00:01:07.880
Second, I'd like to mention safety.

21
00:01:07.880 --> 00:01:12.680
Leaders have to create a safe space
where risks can be taken and new

22
00:01:12.680 --> 00:01:17.760
opportunities can be generated. 
And my third point is vulnerability.

23
00:01:17.760 --> 00:01:21.400
Inspiring leaders do not pretend
that they have all the answers.

24
00:01:21.400 --> 00:01:23.280
They are humble and authentic.

25
00:01:23.600 --> 00:01:29.120
So by providing clarity, creating safe 
spaces and daring to be vulnerable,

26
00:01:29.120 --> 00:01:32.600
leaders generate the trust and
imagination in their people,

27
00:01:32.640 --> 00:01:36.280
that's critical to flourish
and succeed in uncertain times.