Leaders - what will your "new normal" look like?
If you haven’t yet got into the mindset of “things will never go back to normal” and “there is no such thing as normal” then you need to get there, and you need to get there fast! Sorry if that sounds shocking, but our world is VUCA – Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous. We have to learn to adapt quickly.
What Leadership principles will guide you? (Image Credit - Gerd Altmann)
My questions to you are;
how do you want to feel, think and behave in the future,
and what values do you want to live by?
In the coaching world, we often refer to the different “systems” that we operate within. These systems that influence us, either consciously or subconsciously, include organisational culture, and relationships with line managers and peers. As well as Governments.
How can you be a human leader in the current system? Do you want to be one? What does, “being human in the workplace” mean to you? Look out for a future blog on this!
Savvy leaders will view this time as an opportunity for reflection on what works, what doesn’t, what needs to change, and what should be retained. The needs and wants of your teams will likely change significantly as a result of working remotely. They may get used to flexing their hours, having more time with family, less commuting, and more video conferencing. This means you may need to adapt your approach, and possibly rethink your attitude to the 9-5 office-based culture. The way we all work could change significantly as a result of the current crisis, and this may well be a positive shift, leveling the playing field for those that find the current 9-5 model doesn’t really work.
There will also be unintended consequences from the current lock down situation. The law of unintended consequences, as defined by American sociologist Robert K Merton, relates to the unforeseen results of big decisions - particularly those made by Governments. We are seeing a lot of big decisions being made at pace just now. There will no doubt be unintended consequences as a result. It will have a huge economic impact for individuals and the economy as a whole. Decisions intended to help some may unintentionally hinder others.
This very recent survey by YouGov, appears to state that only 9% of people want things to go back to how they were, before the lock down.
I am curious to understand which industries may disappear and which new roles and organisations will spring up to replace them. Even more than usual, innovation, curiosity and adaptability will be required.
Those who are currently furloughed may have concerns about what changes will come about as a result, and even wonder whether there will be a job for them to go back to.
Teams will need their leaders to step up and support them through this period, or as remote workers they may feel isolated, abandoned, and unsure of what the future holds. Now is a time for reflection on the future, coupled with strong and supportive leadership.
Neuroleadership expert Louis Csoka believes that to be an effective leader you must first know how to lead yourself. His theory is all about knowing your strengths, having self-awareness, and being authentic. Csoka believes the development of mental strength makes all the difference in performance. New situations push us to think in different ways, consider how to respond and adapt to the VUCA world around us.
When the pressure is on the difference between success or failure of leaders comes down to the ability to hold it together during the toughest of times. The Covid-19 crisis is testing all leaders and their teams now. The ones who succeed will be those who support their teams to weather the storm, while planning to adapt to a ‘new normal’ once we come out the other side.
We are all in uncharted territory, unsure what the future holds, or when the lock down will end. It is a frightening time for many, full of uncertainty. One thing we can all do, particularly those in leadership positions, to help us regain a sense of control is use this time to plan for the future. The lock down will end eventually, and when it does, the world will be a very different place.
How do you want to feel, think and behave going forward and what values do you want to live by?
What clarity do you need and what decision to you need to make? (image Credit - Okan Caliskan)