Leadership is a constant evolution, requiring adaptability and the courage to challenge norms. The Silent Rebellion: Becoming a Modern Leader by Chris Lewis and Inez Robinson-Odom offers a fresh perspective on navigating leadership in a changing world. The book examines how recent global challenges, like the pandemic, have exposed leadership gaps and pushed us to rethink how we approach decision-making and influence.
At its core, the book emphasizes the power of asking the right questions—like “Who needs to act?” and “What needs to change to improve this situation?” Drawing on examples from their work in a global enterprise and their experience in leadership development, Lewis and Robinson-Odom provide practical insights rather than abstract theory. They highlight the stories of community leaders making a tangible difference, illustrating how leadership can adapt to today’s unique challenges.
To delve further into these ideas, we sat down with Chris Lewis to discuss how leadership has shifted, the impact of generational perspectives, and what it takes to succeed in today’s complex environment. In the interview, Lewis unpacks the concept of “silent rebellion” and how it applies to modern leadership, offering practical advice for those striving to lead with impact in uncertain times. Though I don’t agree with all of his advice, I am always intrigued by new thinking.
What inspired you to write The Silent Rebellion?
Hope. Covid frightened a generation. The reverse side of that fear is anger. The divisions that existed before Covid – rich/poor, young/old, woke/cancelled, male/female, binary/non-binary, urban/rural were all widened and deepened. Its residue is division, cynicism and despair. The antidote is hope. Providing the blueprint through the stories of modern leaders is the remedy.
How do you define a modern leader in contrast to traditional leadership models?
Traditional leadership deals in certainty. The only provenance of certainty though is mediocrity. This is an uncertain world. Modern leadership excels at ambiguity. The conversation is broadened. Modern leaders parenthesize as well as analyze.
Can you explain the concept of a “silent rebellion” in leadership?
Qualitative versus quantitative. Are you great because of the large amount of money you made? If so, this is a quantitative measure. Qualitative leadership is focused on hope. It is not self-regarding, vain or egotistical. It is therefore invisible and silent. It’s there if you look. We looked. Quietly going about the business of “getting it done” exemplifies the modern leader. No bravado. No fuss. The leader’s focus is on the team, not the self.
How has the COVID-19 pandemic changed the way we view leadership?
Covid was about division. Leadership must now be about multiplication. The leadership of any collective enterprise must unify and enfold. It must extend the parenthesis. In the age of the AI revolution, modern leaders must move past the pandemic into a time of deep care for humanity.
What are the key challenges modern leaders face today, across different sectors?
Attention. The most precious commodity on earth is not oil, gold or lithium. It’s attention. No-one is interested in facts. Lies are more entertaining than facts. How can leaders truly lead? They ask questions. They are curious. Rather than feeling that their authority is in question, they seek answers. They harness the power of diverse ways of thinking to contribute to understanding.
How do different generations (e.g., Gen Z vs. Baby Boomers) respond to modern leadership styles?
Gen Z and Gen A are the most damaged generations ever. They compare to ‘the lost generation’ after World War I. This was the last generation to survive a war and a pandemic. We are strong when we are together. The division weakened us. It is the responsibility of leaders to assume the roles needed by those they lead. Parent, coach, therapist, politician, even mid-wife to the future, leaders must serve.
What unique skills do you think future leaders need to cultivate that were not as emphasized in the past?
Imagination. The right answers are not at the back of the book. There are no right answers. There are many.
How can leaders today effectively foster collaboration in remote or hybrid teams?
By serving their community. By being Hungry, Happy, Honest and Hard-working. The complexity of a neurodiverse workplace requires leaders to upskill. Leaders must understand the motivations and desires of those in the workforce. In hybrid situations, consciously building the team requires dedication and focus.
What role does communication play in modern leadership, particularly when leading across different generations?
Understanding that different generations need different messages in different channels. Leaders need to learn to speak the language of the ‘generation’. More importantly, leaders need to listen. What are your team members telling you? How do they express themselves? What do they value?
How do leaders build trust in an age of information overload and constant change?
R=FxD. People Recall what they experience most Frequently and for the longest Duration. Trust takes time. People don’t care how much you know. They want to know how much you care.
What advice do you have for leaders who want to inspire change but face resistance within their organizations?
They should leave. There is always room at the top. Said another way, find a new song. Sail a new ship. Step out and try it for yourself.
What role does self-awareness play in becoming an effective leader?
None. Leaders must be focused on situational fluency. Their job is to fix the problem.
Self-aware leaders can appreciate their own strengths and deficiencies. It’s about holding a mirror to yourself as well as learning how to pivot. Not how much you know. How readily can you pivot your thoughts between the absolutes of the left brain and the empathy of the right? Cultivating that can change the game of leadership for the better.
How can leaders ensure that they are creating inclusive and diverse work environments?
By spotting potential no matter it’s origin.
What legacy do you hope The Silent Rebellion will leave for the next generation of leaders?
There is already a next generation of leaders. They are already doing this but you can’t hear them. If you get quiet…even silent, you make room to hear their voices. Only in silence can there be room to listen.
For more information see The Silent Rebellion: Becoming a Modern Leader.
Image Credit: samson
