Future of Work = Resilient Leadership
Many people and organizations are contemplating what the new state or the future state of work will be. As States prepare to open up and organizations strategically think through how to remain safe while adjusting to a new norm, one piece of this giant COVID-19 world puzzle is clear….now more than ever, we need resilient leadership. Resilient leadership and the ability to bounce back through adverse change and stress will be the key indicator of whether or not an organization and its people transition smoothly and pivot successfully amidst change.
The rapid rate of change and the ever-increasing complexity of organizations requires that leaders lead differently. Resilient leaders show a consistency in their behaviors in which they communicate openly and transparently with their teams. They champion change and engage authentically. They also trust those they have the honor of leading and in turn, get trust back.
Resilient leaders do the following things:
- Lead Authentically: They are aware of their strengths and blind spots and are not afraid to say what they don’t know or need help with. More than that, they are coachable and can own up to where they shine and need more practice.
- Trust: They trust the people around them and those they have the honor of leading. They don’t micromanage, especially during this pandemic in which working from home is the new normal…they aren’t clock watchers. They understand the ebb and flow of work and keep the bigger project/work goals in mind versus the minutes worked.
- Transparency: They communicate openly and frequently with their teams to keep everyone up to date. They are open to feedback and to giving appropriate feedback. They excel in creating opportunities to connect through open communication and honest dialogue.
- Decisive: Resilient leaders are also decisive and can make bold decisions quickly. They not only champion change and can pivot but they can make the decisions necessary to move forward.
- Consistency: Most of all, resilient leaders do these things with consistency. They aren’t perfect however they continue to ensure their team feels engaged and connected through times of “normalcy” or change.
What’s clear, whether in a pandemic or not, is that the need for people to be seen, to be heard and to feel connected is stronger than ever before. The future of work is less about where we do it but the ability of leaders to show up resiliently and lead differently!
