Successful leadership in an ever-shifting landscape isn't easy. Finding your place in the world has become increasingly difficult as the century gets older. The old staples aren't stable anymore and we are no longer sure of the old certainties. Things must change and the time for a new type of leader is upon us.

Not only do we expect individuals to lead, we insist that the companies that 'serve us' also show true leadership as well. A new type of (maverick) leadership made perfect for this century.

Sadly, the world is slow to wake up to this fact. Leadership has become a byword for control and companies have disempowered individuals from realising that they can be leaders in their own sphere of influence. There is no need to revert to companies for permission.

Leadership is hard and successful leadership requires courage. People are more cynical and less trusting. Never before have we needed to trust our leaders and the institutions they represent. It's criminal that we struggle to find an inspiring voice willing to conduct meaningful challenge and be worthy of our trust.

Within this need lies the maverick paradox ...