Today, the companies and businesses are no longer about leadership dominance. Employees no longer seek to work under the traditional leadership model. The new generations are meeting and working with the older ones. Geographical boundaries at workplace are falling down. We are becoming more diverse as a workforce. The business environment along with the social and political structures is rapidly changing. The approach at work and needs of the employees are fast emerging. We are also amidst a situation where earth’s energy is ascending and the ways of doing business are transforming like never before.
These changes, along with the ever-evolving mindset of all stakeholders- business owners, employees and consumers – requires us to step into a new era of leadership to stay competitive and make this world a better place to be. People today expect more transparency and inclusiveness at workplace. They are open to new ideas and innovative ways of working. They want to be led and not dominated. Acknowledgment, recognition and appreciation are the key drivers for their motivation today. Reports from McKinsey also suggests ‘empathy’ to be a game changer in the new leadership scenario. As per KPMG Disrupt and Grow 2017 Global CEO Outlook 74% of the CEO’s place greater importance on trust, values and culture today.
So, here are a few things that you should inculcate as a leader, leading this new generation of very intellectual, committed but free-spirited workforce-
A leader can no longer be someone who orders but someone who asks and suggests.
Leaders of today need to be more open-minded and extremely receptive to the people and environment around them. Flexibility is the key. This would help them to evaluate the true potential of their subordinates and tap into it by delegating right work to the right person.
A leader should operate from influence, not authority.
Leaders should be the flag-bearers of values and behaviour that they want to see in their team. Operating from a space of authority has become a thing of the past. As a leader, it is your responsibility to create more leaders. This can happen if you involve people in the decision-making process, buy-in their opinions and give individuals the opportunity to rise up to a tough situation and prove their talent.
Leaders should collaborate, not rule.
Shared leadership has become a very popular term in today’s business space. We are moving away from traditional hierarchies where the leader dominates and everyone follows and stepping into a world where collaboration is the key – a shared workplace with shared responsibilities where everyone can focus on what they are individually good at to create best outcomes. Making employees your partners will engage them and make them feel a part of the big picture, thus helping them stay motivated and deliver higher productivity.
Leaders should be open to learning and adapting, always.
Leaders who accept change as opportunities and not threats are the ones that succeed. And, to seize these opportunities, it is crucial that leaders are always open to learn new skills and strategies that not just helps them to bring the best out of their people but also allows them to foresee and recognize the changing trends and market expectations. Learning and being willing to adapt quickly can help leaders build faster inroads into the future and stay ahead of the game.
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