The digital age has created the need for a new kind of leadership. In the face of constantly evolving technologies and rapidly changing markets, business leaders are increasingly being asked to implement new innovations and cutting-edge alternatives to previous legacy systems to stay competitive.

To succeed in this fast-moving environment, the leaders of today and tomorrow will need to be able to offer three distinct qualities:

1.       Vision 

Vision is essential to developing a coherent strategy and directing results in a rapidly advancing world. Current and future leaders will need to be able to provide their organization with the ability to envision and drive innovation in a useful way. According to MITSloan, these leaders will need to “help build digital capabilities by implementing the right technologies into the right parts of their customer experience, operations, employee experience, and business models.”

In addition, leaders must be prepared to adjust their vision and course depending on new circumstances. This means being able to fully understand your industry and the enormous impact digital transformation has on your business and society as a whole. Leaders who can create a clear vision and execute it well will find success. Those who try to “wing it” won’t last long, as their lack of vision and direction will lead to confusion and delays, thereby preventing rapid innovation and the ability to compete.

2.       Agility

Leaders who can quickly assess new situations and respond with smart and effective decisions are highly valued. Agility is a vital response to more complex and volatile markets. Supporting innovation under these conditions means understanding that projects you’re working on can suddenly lose significance or change course. As a leader, you’ll need to be able to manage a flexible team who can adapt quickly and execute changes effectively.

Furthermore, you’ll need to accomplish these goals with a team made up of a mixture of workers—from fulltime employees to gig workers to contractors and even AI. Markets have proven to reward organizations that can curate the best talent from around the world and manage their resources and capacity with a willingness to change, evolve and adapt. By establishing a work culture and team structure that encourages creativity and rapid innovation, leadership can ensure their organization thrives in a fast-paced world.

3.       Support

The future of leadership is also about empowering others to self-organize and operate in a less hierarchical system. This not only encourages agility, but it also allows for greater participation, involvement and contribution from everyone on the team. Leaders should take a more supportive role—encouraging, inspiring and nurturing others to grow and collaborate as they work remotely from all over the world.

In this supportive leadership role, part of your focus needs to be on connecting people to resources that can help them succeed, gain new skills and advance. You’ll need to find opportunities to both serve and educate your talent in a way that fosters a positive company culture and builds community. ​​By providing learning, mentorship, empowerment and growth opportunities, leaders in the digital age can deliver improved results not just for the organization, but for society as a whole. 

__

Looking to developing your leadership skills or earn your business degree? We’ve got you covered! At Pearson Accelerated Pathways, we give you the freedom to earn a degree your way—anytime, anywhere. See how it works.

Your test is tomorrow. You’ve been trying to study for three hours now. So far… you’ve made two snacks, checked your phone 12 times, folded one pile of laundry and made a cool little beat on your desk.

Intervention time!

Stop procrastinating and try these six ways to get motivated to study.

1.       Change your location

Switch it up! You’ve been dragging your lifeless body back and forth to the same spot where you plopped your laptop – only to find your place in your textbook and then immediately lose motivation again.

Unplug that laptop and take it to a new location! How about a good coffee shop, outdoor patio, local library or even just another room in your house or building?

Sometimes all you need is a good scene shift to get your head in the right study space.

2.       Share your new knowledge

Learning gives you new material for conversations, posts, jokes and texts. Try to stay motivated by thinking of ways you can share your newfound knowledge.

Imagine posting your silly side thoughts, like:

“Wow, just read in my history textbook that Alexander the Great was accidentally buried alive. I think I’m cool with just being average now.”

Even if your new brand of educational humor is corny, guess who will like it? Your mom! Therefore, it’s a must. Also, check out these 13 Ways to Study at Home Without Going Crazy.

3.       Give yourself rewards

You did the work, now you get a reward – yay! Just think… what rewards motivate you?

Is there something reasonable that you can gift yourself after a good study session? Maybe a new song on iTunes? Every time you finish reading 20 pages, you get to download one new song. Yeee… dance party!

Here are some more ideas for study rewards to keep you motivated.

4.       Make your study area fabulous

Is your study area in a dusty corner with no windows, artwork or plants? Is there a sad calendar curling up at the edges pinned above your monitor?

Time for a change! Take a minute to look up some cool study space ideas on Pinterest or furniture websites. Get inspired.

Now look for ways to make your study area more fabulous on your budget. Head to the thrift store, repurpose those kitchen crates or even frame that poster that’s been rolled up in your closet.

You deserve a nice place to study. P.S. – That includes having a good chair.

5.       Fake it ‘til you make it

You know that one subject that bores you out of your mind? Time to go the opposite direction and pretend to love it… obsessively!

Here’s you doing your biology homework now:

“Oh wow! You mean to tell me that cultured cells expressing proteins of interest are actually allowed to take up radioactively labeled amino acids for a brief interval or “pulse”? How am I’m just now finding this out?! What else happens during the pulse-chase protocol? I must find out!”

Embrace that nerd energy—no matter how forced or sarcastic. It might just be the key to psyching out your mind, and, hey, maybe you’ll actually become obsessed with the subject. Worth a try!

6.       Remember why you wanted to study

Flashback to a younger, more idealistic you—fresh as a spring breeze and ready to fill your intellect with knowledge. Your future is looking bright and sunny… uh oh, wait… flash forward to now…

You’re on your third exam and second term paper for the week, plus your job just called you in for an extra shift. How are you ever going to finish everything?! Your body is weary and physically craving that vacation you went on in 2018.

Look… school is crazy tough. But try to remember why you wanted to study. You know it’ll lead to brighter horizons, more personal development, greater opportunities and new connections.

You don’t want to work that terrible customer service job for the rest of your life... do you? Didn’t think so! So, just remember why you’re learning and go hit those books.

__

At Accelerated Pathways, we’re here to cheerlead you the whole way through your studies. Your personal academic coach is always just a chat away and ready to make sure you’re motivated, on target and meeting your life goals.

Want to knock out your gen ed courses in an easy, supportive, flexible way and still graduate from the college of your choice? Click here to find out how.

Being the first in your family to earn a college degree is a major accomplishment. First-generation college students can open the door to new opportunities for themselves and their families. Their success can also uplift their communities as they serve as role models and leaders.

Unfortunately, first-gen college students also tend to face more obstacles. Many come from poor-performing high schools, low-income backgrounds and other socioeconomic disadvantages. In addition, they typically don’t have parents who are able to navigate or financially support their academic journey. Combined, these factors lead to higher college drop-out rates.

If you’re a first-generation college student, we want to see you succeed. Check out these five tips to help you make it across the graduation stage!

1. Ask for help

First-generation college students tend to be resourceful, driven and independent. Don’t try to do everything on your own! Be sure you reach out for help throughout your college journey. Consult with anyone you can—teachers, mentors, academic advisors, financial aid experts—about everything from admissions to loans, student jobs and tutoring.

Don’t be embarrassed to mention your lack of college funding or other key supports. You’re taking the initiative to improve yourself, and that’s a noble cause. It’s extra important that you get the assistance you need and let others know that you need it. The experts are there for a reason – so reach out to them throughout your academic journey!

2. Apply for financial aid

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), first-generation and low-income students are less likely to complete a FASFA application. This financial aid application process can seem cumbersome, especially for those whose parents have difficulty providing the requested documentation. This means missing out on key financial aid that can help pay for higher education.

Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first step to understanding what federal aid you qualify. Funding a college education can be the biggest obstacle for first-generation college students, so it’s important to understand the costs and look for ways to subsidize them – through grants, scholarships and other available resources.

3. Pace yourself

As the first in your family to go to college, you may feel immense pressure to succeed. You might have the urge to overextend yourself with all the extracurricular activities and student body associations. In addition, you may have to work a part- or even full-time job while attending college—not just to support yourself but also to help your family.

It’s important to find a school-work-life balance that you can maintain. Be sure to prioritize your studies, but don’t try to bite off more than you can chew. You don’t want to burn out and then drop out. Protect your time and your mental health. That may mean taking fewer classes at a time and graduating slower than some of your peers. But remember, college is not a race—it’s a goal.

4. Don’t make comparisons

Those who come from affluent, higher-educated families can make college seem like a breeze. It can be hard not to notice the difference in their college experience vs. yours, especially if you have to work and still take on debt to accomplish your goals.

Try to remember that we all start from different points in life and have our own unique talents. Don’t compare yourself to others or feel like you don’t have the same rights to be there. Many first-generation students experience “imposter syndrome,” a sense that they’re out of place or don’t belong. Others feel culture shock and have difficulty assimilating to a new academic culture.

This is all part of the growing pains process. Surround yourself with as many supportive people as possible. Your experience counts, and your struggles will be worth it. Be the self-made success story when you cross that graduation stage!

5. Commit

College requires a lot of blood, sweat and tears. There will be times when you just want to quit. Don’t! Dropping out can have serious personal and financial impacts on your life. You may be required to pay back grants or loans without the benefits of earning a degree. Quitting can also be demoralizing—making you feel like you're unable to accomplish important life goals.

Give yourself the patience to make mistakes, deal with setbacks and then get back up and keep fighting. It’s okay to pick a major that you’re passionate about if it helps you stay committed. Many first-gen college students feel pressure to choose a career that makes their family proud. You're already doing a lot of heavy lifting just to attend college, so give yourself a break by learning something that interests and inspires you personally.

__

At Accelerated Pathways, we love helping first-generation college students reach their goals! Our academic advisors are great at doing the academic research, helping you understand your college options and supporting you the whole way. Reach out today for a completely free college consultation.