How can you best prepare to become a leader in a context marked by ever-increasing uncertainty and complexity? That was the question Roselinde Torres, a leadership expert and consultant for the Boston Consulting Group, asked herself. To answer it, she studied the leadership programs of numerous organizations and tracked the career paths of individuals who succeeded or failed as they took on leadership roles. According to her, a central characteristic that sets those who succeed apart is the cultivation of a highly diversified network. This enables them to develop the ability to interact with a wide variety of profiles, but also to factor different perspectives into their decision-making.

The idea that it is important for a leader to cultivate their networks is nothing new. But it is really the notion of diversification that is central here. You surely have affinity networks in which you recognize yourself and feel at ease. But do you reach beyond them? Are you training yourself sufficiently in developing relationships with people who do not share the same points of view as you, the same frames of reference, the same perceptions? Regularly reviewing your networks is an essential reflex to turn them into a strategic asset. 

Source: What it takes to be a great leader, Roselinde Torres, TED@BCG San Francisco, February 2014.