What Enlightened and Empowering Leadership Means in an Era of Permacrisis
Since the onset of the global pandemic in 2020, my colleagues at HAVAS Red and I have been reflecting deeply on what it means to lead in a world that feels perpetually unstable. We’ve entered what many now call an era of permacrisis—a time marked by continuous disruption, uncertainty, and complexity. In this environment, traditional models of leadership fall short. What’s needed now is a more enlightened and empowering approach.
For me, enlightened leadership begins with presence and principle. It’s about showing up with clarity, humility, and a deep sense of responsibility—not just for outcomes, but for people. Empowering leadership, on the other hand, is about creating the conditions for others to thrive, even when the path ahead is unclear.
Over the years, I’ve come to rely on what we have referred as the Six Cs—a framework that has helped me and many others navigate periods of turbulence and crisis with integrity and impact:
- Calm: In moments of chaos, leaders must be the steady hand and demonstrate their resilience. Projecting calm isn’t about ignoring the storm—it’s about helping others find their footing within it.
- Candid: Honesty is non-negotiable. People can handle bad news; what they can’t handle is being misled. Candor builds credibility and trust.
- Confident: Even when the future is uncertain, leaders must articulate a vision. Confidence doesn’t mean having all the answers—it means believing in the team’s ability to find them.
- Credible: Ground your words in data. Facts matter, especially when emotions run high. Credibility is earned through consistency and evidence.
- Compassionate: Leadership without compassion is hollow. Acknowledge the emotional toll of crisis. Listen. Validate. Support.
- Consistent: In a world of mixed messages, consistency is a gift. Repeat your values. Reinforce your commitments. Stay the course.
But enlightened leadership is not just about how we show up in crisis—it’s about how we show up to lead every day. That’s where our HEAT model comes in:
- Humanity: At the heart of leadership is the human connection. Recognize the person behind the role. Celebrate the individual behind the performance.
- Empathy: Understand what others are feeling. Empathy isn’t weakness—it’s a strategic strength that fosters loyalty and resilience.
- Authenticity: Be real. Be you. People follow leaders who are genuine, not perfect.
- Transparency: Say what you mean. Share what you know. Trust is built in the open.
In this era of permacrisis, leadership is no longer about command and control. It’s about clarity and compassion. It’s about empowering others to act with purpose, even when the future is uncertain. And above all, it’s about leading with heart.
