Leading in this new fast moving business landscape means that there is always something new on the horizon, Joanna Swash, CEO of Moneypenny sets out some fundamentals that will help leaders be prepared.
Worldwide events have fundamentally altered the business landscape, reshaped society in far-reaching ways and turned normal upside down. As we continue to look to the future, we also must reflect. What has it taught us?
What will set the winning leaders apart is honesty, authenticity, adaptability, optimism and a little of outside-the-box thinking. Employees don’t want to work for inauthentic managers and businesses don’t want to work with other businesses who aren’t transparent.
Show empathy
To be a great leader in our new future, people must have the necessary empathy to inspire their teams. It is a business-critical skill. For some it is innate, for others a workshop or two may be required but the benefits of true compassionate leadership are immeasurable.
Empathy opens doors, it removes confusion, and it develops deeper levels of trust and loyalty. Just think, when people are more open, they can be more creative, more motivated, and better at what they do, which is all great for business.
This concept of leading with compassion extends to all stakeholders, not just across your teams and partners but also your clients. Without them you have no business so showing empathy externally, and within calculated reason of course, will create loyalty and trust that will make all the difference.
Empower your people
Your brilliant business is only brilliant because, as a leader, you surround yourself with brilliant people. If you empower teams to make mistakes, be brave and put aside anything that would hold them back, you are creating the perfect environment for them come up with powerful ideas that could change the way you do business better. People naturally want to feel empowered so you must give them the platform. It is about responsibility, trust, listening, purpose, and self-improvement. And it can create a more connected culture.
Communicate with transparency
Being open and honest in any organisation is important. It is also the key to being an authentic leader and delivering on your promises.
If you have tough decisions to make, be very clear and tell people why. And constantly update and communicate. You don’t always have to have the answers, being an effective leader doesn’t mean that, or that you can’t share how you feel. What communicating with transparency does mean is being clear about what you know, what you are planning and what it means for people, in a way that your audience will understand.
Look after mental wellness
Being a compassionate leader isn’t just about creating a safe work environment for your teams, it is about creating a safe environment. Full stop. People naturally respond anxiously to uncertainty however well prepared they may feel that they are.
So, this one is for leaders and employees. Without your good mental health, you cannot lead and without your team’s wellbeing they cannot support you. It goes back to empathy but also culture and creating a sense of belonging.
Adapt with urgency
Uncertainty may continue and in such a world, being able to adapt, quickly and effectively is key. Thinking ahead is all well and good, but effective leaders will need to be able to make quick, informed decisions to make maintain business success.
To survive, businesses have had to be agile, flexible and change business models at a rapid pace. It is not just about asking the ‘What if’ scenarios, it is about identifying the opportunities for your business. Those businesses with a flexible plan will be the most resilient.
Optimism
Effective leaders have a certain optimism, shall we say. And this cannot falter, even in the hardest of times. Thinking outside of the box for a unique solution or seeing a new business opportunity during a crisis, is what makes you an effective leader. Don’t be blinded by the optimism, though. Yes, your team and your co-leaders need to buy into your path for the business, your belief but it needs to remain open and honest, acknowledging bumps along the way and learning every step of the way.
