A timely collection, “Leadership in the New Normal,” edited by Dr. P. Koshy and published by TDW Publishers, brings together a diverse group of leaders and practitioners to dissect the evolving challenges and expectations facing leadership in our current era. The volume offers practical perspectives on how to navigate a landscape fundamentally altered by recent global shifts.

The contributing authors, including K.S Ahluwalia, Lord Indarjit Singh CBE, Dr. Rajan Samuel, Harpreet Ahluwalia, Rev. Thomas George, Gunjandeep Singh, Gurpreet Singh Kapoor, Vighnesh Jha, Bhavesh Jha, CK Viswanath, Prasanna Kkumar, and Dr. P. Koshy collectively address the core question: What defines effective leadership in this “new normal”?

A central theme emerging from the discourse is the intensified need for a more humane approach to leadership. The pandemic, as highlighted in the text, underscored this imperative. This humanity extends beyond traditional human resource management, permeating how leaders approach resource utilization and overall business strategy. Coupled with this is the undeniable rise of knowledge-centric, data-driven, and technology-powered enterprises. The transition towards a knowledge economy is no longer a future prospect but a present reality, impacting sectors from manufacturing and agriculture to services and commerce.

This shift brings forth significant challenges. Leaders must grapple with managing and leveraging vast amounts of data, fostering innovation in a rapidly evolving technological landscape, and cultivating work environments that are both productive and empathetic. The traditional top-down hierarchical models are increasingly being tested, with a greater need for agility, adaptability, and collaborative decision-making.

The expectations of leadership have also transformed. The “new normal” demands responsible leadership. This isn’t merely a buzzword but a call for leaders to be deeply accountable for their impact on employees, society, and the environment. The principles of sustainability are no longer peripheral concerns but are moving to the core of business operations and values.

So, how can a leader be both responsible and humane, and what does this entail for business leadership? The volume suggests that this involves:

• Empathy and Employee Well-being: Prioritizing the mental, emotional, and physical health of their teams.
• Ethical Decision-Making: Operating with transparency and integrity, considering the broader societal impact of business choices.
• Data-Informed and Human-Centric Strategies: Balancing the drive for efficiency and technological advancement with a deep understanding of human needs and capabilities.
• Fostering a Culture of Learning and Adaptability: Encouraging continuous skill development and embracing change as a constant.
• Championing Sustainability: Integrating environmentally and socially responsible practices into the core business model.

In essence, “Leadership in the New Normal” posits that the future of leadership lies in a delicate but crucial balance: leveraging the power of the knowledge economy while deeply embedding humane values and a strong sense of responsibility into the fabric of business. The insights from its contributing authors provide a valuable roadmap for practitioners seeking to effectively lead their organizations through today’s altered and transformative landscape.