New-School Leadership: Making a Difference in the 21st Century

The need for and demands on leadership have changed radically in the past few years. To be a dynamic and effective leader of a 21st-century organization or corporation requires an entirely different strategy and set of skills than it did just five or ten years ago. In fact, much of the best advice and examples from even the last decade no longer apply. This book looks at fundamental ways to become and remain the most effective leader possible, given the current institutional and corporate landscape. It hopes to ensure that we have inspiring and visionary leaders at the heads of our organizations, divisions, and institutions. I believe that, through exploring and then enhancing the qualities encompassed by the new-school leadership model that I outline in these pages, my readers will feel empowered to do what is needed to lead success in their enterprise with passion, purpose, and top productivity.

The need for and demands on leadership have changed radically in the past few years. To be a dynamic and effective leader of a 21st-century organization or corporation requires an entirely different strategy and set of skills than it did just five or ten years ago. In fact, much of the best advice and examples from even the last decade no longer apply. This book looks at fundamental ways to become and remain the most effective leader possible, given the current institutional and corporate landscape. It hopes to ensure that we have inspiring and visionary leaders at the heads of our organizations, divisions, and institutions. I believe that, through exploring and then enhancing the qualities encompassed by the new-school leadership model that I outline in these pages, my readers will feel empowered to do what is needed to lead success in their enterprise with passion, purpose, and top productivity.

D.A. Abrams is Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer for the United States Tennis Association located in White Plains, NY, and a Certified Association Executive™. He has worked for the USTA for over 22 years on both the national and sectional levels. Prior to his transition to leading the D&I effort, he served as the Executive Director of the USTA's Eastern Section, where he led it through unprecedented growth. Under his leadership, the section's membership increased by more than 20 percent, and its recreational programs for adults and juniors expanded, as well. Prior to joining the USTA's Eastern Section, Abrams served as the Director of Outreach for the USTA's national office in White Plains, where he helped to expand the organization's National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL) network and other programs for special populations. He has been a pioneer by becoming the first African-American executive director of a USTA regional office at the USTA Missouri Valley section. While there, Abrams increased USTA individual and organizational membership and exceeded goals set for growth in USTA programs, including USA Tennis 1-2-3, Team Tennis, Community Tennis Associations, NJTL, Schools and Park and Recreation organizations. Abrams began his USTA career in 1993 as a national coordinator for the NJTL program in the USTA's national office. He played tennis at Millersville University in Pennsylvania, and earned a Master's degree from Metropolitan State University in Minneapolis. Abrams was born and raised in Philadelphia, where he participated in the city's NJTL program. D. A. is also the author of Certified Association Executive Exam: Strategies for Study & Success, and Diversity & Inclusion: The Big Six Formula For Success. D.A. is a popular speaker and advisor on the topics of Leadership, Diversity & Inclusion, and Association Management. Feel free to follow D.A. on Twitter at @DAAbrams1 and/or connect with him on LinkedIn at D.A. Abrams, CAE.