Did you know that just a quarter of employees have full trust in their leadership?
There is no time like the present to re-evaluate the skills we have in place and formulate plans for the ones we need to develop.
Because it’s our responsibility to turn the story around and pull the economy up by its bootstraps – and we won’t do this if we work in an atmosphere of despondency and distrust.
So here are four things we believe winning leaders with productive and well-adjusted teams will be practising this year.
They’ll put their own mask on first
Safeguarding the well-being of your team starts with safeguarding your own. A Deloitte survey found that whilst 87% of leaders loved their roles, 77% of them had experienced burnout. That’s staggering.
What does this look like in practical terms? It’s a broad spectrum of skills but it includes developing a sound work/life balance, showing up as yourself and modelling the listening and engagement skills your team needs to thrive.
They’ll stay curious
It’s about being authentically open to new experiences and asking questions. Develop an atmosphere where there are no silly suggestions, there may be gold in what someone has to say. Do systems have to be as rigid as they are or is there space for flexibility? Whose needs are you putting first and are there silent voices that need to be heard too?
Curiosity breeds creativity so think about the kind of environment you could create for others too. Where will their ingenuity and interests take them?
They’ll embrace change
The integration of AI and technology into everyday life means that things can move quickly. We’ve also been through an upheaval in the way we work, with workers and businesses adapting and re-envisioning where and how people show up.
This calls for agility but also (closely linked to the point above) the ability to see opportunities in the issues that arise. Uncertain times call for open-minded leaders so expand your horizons and deliberately step outside of your comfort zone once in a while.
They’ll tune in
Demand for social and emotional skills will only continue to grow. As technology and employee experience expectations evolve, so will the ways in which we communicate, respond and connect with each other. Diversity in the workplace means working with people from a variety of backgrounds and because burnout is no longer a tolerable workplace hazard, spotting the signs of ill health, overwork or lack of belonging will require greater sensitivity. Along with a deep desire to find solutions.
Our practical guide to building trust in leadershiptakes a deeper dive into how to build and sustain trust in leadership. Due for release soon, stay tuned to find out how to get a free copy.
Have a great day- we would love to hear your thoughts.