Leadership: What does it REALLY take to be a good leader?
In order to be a successful leader, you need to be able to motivate and inspire your team. But it takes more than just charisma and good communication skills; you also need to have the right attitude and be willing to put in the hard work. So what does it really take to be a good leader? Here are three essential forecasts that every manager should watch for.
If you haven't noticed, a lot of businesses struggle because of poor leadership habits and behaviours. After all, isn't leadership all about fostering human relationships and bringing people together to achieve great things? However, with the hybrid and/or remote workplace changes these days, how can you tell if you are fit for it or not?
Find out the 3 forecasts that will instantaneously accentuate who has exceptional leadership skills and what the future of work will look like in 2022 and beyond, according to the experts.
First, businesses will adjust to the needs and expectations of their employees. In the wake of the widespread availability of vaccines, many predicted a smooth recovery in the labour market, but that wasn’t the case. Why? Many factors influence the hiring and firing decisions of potential employees and candidates alike. Phenom's co-founder and CEO, Mahe Bayireddi, claims that "The pandemic caused frontline and knowledge workers to reckon with the immense role a job has in their lives. They want a purpose, not an endless series of meaningless tasks."
In today's labour market, companies can't afford to underestimate the number of factors that candidates and employees take into account. Bayireddi added, "They want fair pay, flexibility, opportunities to grow, and perhaps most of all, the confidence that they're making an impact." The labour market is expected to return to pre-pandemic levels by 2022, as organizations begin to adapt to these expectations.
Second, people strategy will be equally important as a financial strategy. Many businesses are having difficulty keeping up with the rapid expansion of their businesses and the increasing expectations of their employees. There is a common refrain among leaders that "getting the right people on the bus" is a priority, but they neglect to consider how to keep those people on the bus content and productive. "How you treat and take care of your employees will become one of the most important strategic decisions businesses make." as per ChartHop vice president of sales J.T. Levin. He claims that in 2022 "how well a company holistically understands its employee base and can articulate and deliver a people strategy... will be directly correlated to how well a company can articulate and deliver a people strategy." For the first time, he predicts, people strategy will be elevated to the same level of importance as go-to-market strategies and financial strategies in the coming year.
Lastly, the perspectives of both employees’ and customers' experiences will be more closely aligned. In the past, businesses set up separate frameworks and requirements for both customer and employee experiences. These two business priorities are now clearly intertwined due to the pandemic and the Great Resignation. Faisal Pandit, president of Panasonic System Solutions Company of North America, says, "The shift in customer expectations and workforce demands has challenged today's leaders to rethink how work is done and offer solutions that break down organizational silos. It's more important than ever for leaders to make a conscious effort to build a positive culture within their own organization so the workforce feels empowered to bring the best experience to customers." This means If you're a business, you're investing in your future by providing a great employee experience. In order to achieve this, there must be a high level of communication, inclusion across the organization, opportunities for professional development, empathy, and autonomy at all levels.
Imagine your employees very happy at work and feel valued, it fosters great customer experiences and business outcomes.
We know, taking the journey of being a good leader is not an easy ride, but it’s definitely worth the effort. If you want to be a better leader and motivate your team to achieve great things, start by watching for these three essential forecasts. And if you need help in this area, don’t hesitate to contact us today. We would be happy to provide you with advice and guidance on how to become a more effective leader.
