Remote work is here to stay. Wherever you fall on the Venn diagram of attitudes to the remote office, that much we can agree on.
Whether our instincts are to push back on it, lean into it, or dance around the edges — that cat is out of the bag. Going forward, every organisation will have to contend with at least one singular, intractable market reality — a workforce that knows just how much is achievable and sustainable from one end of a Zoom conference or Slack group.
Executive leaders are going to have to navigate this reality and accept that the right way forward may look like nothing we've ever seen before.
A recent TRANSEARCH survey highlighted that servant leadership will be the "new normal". Trust, empathy, resilience and the ability to lead virtual teams will be key.
Results:
Decisions based on transparent KPIs will be more important than ever.
The employees are highly motivated to find solutions for new requirements.
Leaders spent more time communicating with employees.
The speed of decision-making was improved by using digital meetings.
Conclusions:
In times of uncertainty, clear communication helps.
Employees seek purpose in their daily tasks.
Leaders need to set clear guidelines and act as coaches. The hierarchy-oriented leadership style will fall into decline.
Strict time management should be supported by trust, transparency and clear KPI settings.
New possibilities of flexible working arrangements may help improve productivity and work-life balance.
Recommendations:
Act as a servant leader.
Check whether your current leaders match your future employees' expectations.
Manage by targets and results. Avoid micromanagement.
Adapt your performance management system to the requirements of the "new normal".
Boost resilience, lean back and trust your people.
TRANSEARCH provides a platform to its network of C-Level leaders for discussions on how to come out of the crisis stronger. For further information about the survey or discussion platform please get in touch with Dr. Carlo Mackrodt or Dr. Stefan Schwaenzl.
A recent TRANSEARCH survey among C-Level leaders regarding their experiences and priorities in a shift to the "new normal" identified four key dimensions to focus on in disruptive times:
Culture - The adaptation to the "new normal" is reflected in the importance of corporate culture & the understanding of leadership.
Leadership - Servant leadership will be the "new normal": trust, empathy and resilience and the ability to lead virtual teams will be key. Leading virtual teams needs a different skillset.
Transformation - Successful transformation projects require a holistic roadmap, an agile organizational set-up, the alignment of purpose, tools and clear rules.
Innovation - Innovative strength is generally regarded as an indicator of future competitiveness. Therefore, you should hire the smartest people in system-critical positions and let them tell you what to do. Listen well!
The four key dimensions can be tackled successfully with a strategic HR management positioned at C-Level.
Importance of the four dimensions plus enablers:
Dimensions
Adapt the culture to the new necessities.
Improve leadership competencies.
Transform processes to enable remote efficiency.
Innovate with a focus on customer success.
Enablers
Install strategic HR management.
Recruit and retain the smartest people for key positions.
TRANSEARCH provides a platform to its network of C-Level leaders for discussions on how to come out of the crisis stronger. For further information about the survey or discussion platform please get in touch with Dr. Carlo Mackrodt or Dr. Stefan Schwaenzl.
In June and December 2020 The Bedford Consulting Group took the opportunity to survey Canadian HR leaders on how they were seeing their respective organisations change and what the lasting impacts might be, focusing on business performance, how we work, culture and leadership trends. The HR survey results provide valuable insight to help you approach and position your organisation for success in 2021 and beyond.
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