Omar Bennett
Leadership is a dynamic concept that has evolved to meet the challenges of a disruptive era. The traditional hierarchical model of leadership is being replaced by a networked leadership team approach, where high-performing teams outperform individuals. This shift in leadership style is seen in organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO), which has been led by Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus since 2017. Tedros, an Ethiopian public health official, researcher, and diplomat, has navigated global health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic and promoted gender equality within the organization. As the first African to lead the WHO, he has emphasized the need for Africa to focus on economic emancipation, peace, stability, and rapid economic growth.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus |
| Date of Birth | 3 March 1965 |
| Education | PhD in Immunology from the University of Oxford and the University of California, San Francisco; Medical Doctorate from the Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada |
| Profession | Public health official, researcher, diplomat |
| Previous Roles | Minister of Health of Ethiopia (2005-2012); Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia (2012-2016); Director of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative Partnership at WHO; Assistant Director-General of the WHO Polio and Emergencies Cluster; Executive Director of the WHO Emergencies Programme; Deputy Director-General for the West Africa Ebola Response; Special Representative of the Director-General to the United Nations Emergency Ebola Response (UNMEER) |
| Current Role | Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) |
| Tenure | Appointed on 1 July 2017 and re-appointed on 24 May 2022 |
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What You'll Learn
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of the World Health Organization
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus is an Ethiopian biologist and public health official. He is the first African to serve as Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), a role he has held since 2017.
Ghebreyesus was born in 1965 in the Tigray region of Ethiopia (now in Eritrea). He studied biology at the University of Asmara, earning a bachelor's degree in the subject in 1986. He then served as a junior public health expert for Ethiopia's Ministry of Health. Ghebreyesus went on to study immunology at the University of London, graduating with a master's degree in 1992. He later earned a Ph.D. in community health from the University of Nottingham in 2002. By the time he finished his doctoral studies, he had already been appointed head of the Tigray Regional Health Bureau. Ghebreyesus rose through the ranks of Ethiopia's health system, becoming deputy health minister and then minister of health in 2005. During his time leading the country's health system, he implemented reforms and secured investments that improved healthcare infrastructure and broadened access to healthcare for Ethiopians.
In 2012, Ghebreyesus was appointed Ethiopia's minister of foreign affairs. In this role, he played a key part in drafting the Addis Ababa Action Agenda (AAAA), a framework for advancing Africa's economic, social, and political progress. He also coordinated a response to the 2013-2016 Ebola outbreak in western Africa. Ghebreyesus has been involved in various global health initiatives and has co-authored several publications on health-related topics.
As Director-General of the WHO, Ghebreyesus has worked to accelerate progress against diseases that affect millions annually, such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis. He led the response to the 2018-2020 Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the COVID-19 pandemic. He has focused on improving the organization's transparency and responsiveness and has been re-appointed for a second term. Ghebreyesus's approach to working with governments to secure transparency on diseases has been controversial, with critics pointing out his overlooking of human rights issues in his pursuit of international cooperation.
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The role of networked leadership teams
The traditional hierarchical model of leadership is being replaced by a new era of networked leadership teams that guide the organization. This shift doesn't mean abandoning traditional skills; instead, it builds on them to expand the leader's capacity. This new model has a clear purpose: to benefit all stakeholders by enabling people to work and learn together to build and operate a continually evolving system for creating value.
In this new era, the organization's leader is accountable for their individual role, but leadership is shared among a team of leaders who work together to guide the organization. This shift is driven by the increasing complexity of today's business environment, where disruptive forces like the climate crisis, global health challenges, and technological advancements constantly reinvent how we live and work.
Networked leadership teams are particularly effective in managing disruptive events, as demonstrated by the World Health Organization (WHO) under the leadership of Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Samira Asma, Assistant Director-General for Data, Analytics, and Delivery for Impact, and Dr. Aylward, Assistant Director-General of the Universal Health Coverage, Life Course Division, are examples of leaders within the WHO who have contributed their expertise to the organization's efforts during the pandemic.
The success of networked leadership teams relies on leaders who can adapt to fundamental shifts in their roles and responsibilities. This includes embracing collaboration, embracing diversity, and continuously developing their skills to address the complex demands facing organizations in this new era.
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The impact of the climate crisis
Climate change is one of the most pressing issues facing the world today. The current leaders of organizations dedicated to tackling the climate crisis include the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Patricia Espinosa, and the Executive Secretary of UN Climate Change, Simon Stiell. These individuals are at the forefront of driving global efforts to address the worsening impacts of climate change.
The climate crisis has far-reaching consequences, and its impacts are already being felt around the world. One of the most significant effects is the increase in natural disasters, such as hurricanes, floods, and wildfires, which are becoming more frequent and intense due to changing weather patterns and rising global temperatures. These disasters displace communities, damage infrastructure, and devastate local economies. The impact of the climate crisis is also evident in the form of refugee flows and conflicts over basic resources like food and water, as mentioned by former US President Barack Obama in his 2015 State of the Union address.
The natural world is also suffering due to the climate crisis. Biodiversity loss is occurring at an alarming rate, with ecosystems and habitats being destroyed, and species becoming extinct. This has a knock-on effect on the food chain and the availability of natural resources, which further exacerbates the impact on human communities. For example, the loss of coral reefs due to ocean warming and acidification not only disrupts marine ecosystems but also affects the livelihoods of coastal communities that depend on fishing and tourism.
Climate change also disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, including indigenous communities, small island developing states, and those in poverty. These communities often bear the brunt of the impacts of climate change, such as sea-level rise and water scarcity, despite contributing the least to greenhouse gas emissions. This injustice is recognized by organizations like the Indigenous Environmental Network (IEN), which works to protect the rights and resources of indigenous communities, and the United Nations, which highlights the importance of climate justice and the need for urgent shifts towards a climate-resilient and low-emissions future.
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The shift from profit to impact
For decades, the business world has been dominated by a single-minded focus on maximizing profits for shareholders. This traditional model has been characterized by a drive for earnings, results, authority, and competition. However, in today's complex and turbulent environment, organizations are recognizing the limitations of this approach and the need to shift their mindset from profit to impact.
This shift does not entail abandoning financial goals but rather expanding beyond them. Leaders are now expected to balance profit with purpose, addressing societal challenges, contributing to a healthy planet, and creating value for all stakeholders. This evolution is driven by a growing awareness that businesses have a responsibility to positively impact the world without compromising their financial performance.
A key aspect of this transformation is the emergence of sustainable business strategies. Embracing sustainability has become attractive to investors, with firms demonstrating strong environmental, social, and governance (ESG) metrics tending to produce superior financial returns. Leaders are increasingly recognizing the power of sustainability in driving business success and addressing pressing global issues. This shift is particularly notable in the rise of nonprofit organizations, which are dedicated to creating social impact while maintaining financial stability.
Nonprofit leaders play a crucial role in guiding their organizations toward their missions and advocating for specific causes. They foster partnerships, collaborate with diverse teams, and coordinate with stakeholders to maximize their impact. By focusing on innovation and problem-solving, these leaders are able to drive social transformation and create value beyond profit.
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The move from expectations to wholeness
The current leader of the World Health Organization (WHO) is Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who was appointed on 1 July 2017 and reappointed on 24 May 2022.
The old hierarchical model of leadership is no longer sufficient to meet the complex demands facing today's organizations. Instead, we are moving towards an era of networked leadership teams that steer the organization. This new model has a clear purpose: to benefit all stakeholders by enabling people to work and learn together to build and operate a continually evolving system for creating value.
This shift requires leaders to make fundamental evolutionary changes. It builds on traditional skills, expanding a leader's capacity to meet the challenges of this new disruptive era.
The climate crisis, global health challenges, and changes in social values are disrupting individual priorities. Globalization and geopolitics are also shifting the world order. Advances in technology and the emergence of "born digital" generations are constantly reinventing how we live and work.
In this context, leaders must expand their focus beyond maximizing profits for shareholders. While this remains necessary to raise capital, it is no longer sufficient. Organizations must also pay attention to the broader, often unintended impact of their actions.
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Frequently asked questions
The current leader of the World Health Organization (WHO) is Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who was appointed on July 1, 2017, and re-appointed on May 24, 2022.
The term of the director-general of the WHO lasts for five years, and they can be re-appointed only once.
The director-general of the WHO is the chief executive officer of the organization and the principal advisor to the United Nations on global health matters. They also lead the WHO Secretariat and are the ex officio secretary of the World Health Assembly, the WHO Executive Board, and all commissions, committees, and conferences convened by the organization.
Candidates for the position of director-general of the WHO can be proposed by member states and are then nominated by the executive board. The director-general is appointed by the World Health Assembly (WHA) in May when it meets. The appointment process begins more than a year in advance, with the nomination period ending in mid-September and candidates being announced at the end of October.
I cannot find specific information on who the previous director-general was, however, the current director-general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, was first appointed in 2017, so the previous director-general's term likely ended that year.
