In this episode of the ‘Making It Count’ podcast, we get a one-on-one with our host, Julie Hyde.
This year is flying past at a rapid speed. 2021 has been a rollercoaster for most of us with lots of disruption so, I wanted to share with you what I have been observing in the business landscape over the last 6 months. The game has changed for leaders and it is time to level up and play a smarter game.
So, what do leaders need to be aware of moving forward? Fatigue is my number one observation. Although we have become better at managing the disruption, we are continuing to put out spot fires of different intensity. Teams have had to deal with lots of change including the cancelling of holidays. This has a huge impact on performance and wellbeing.
In a recent survey, 87% of people believe it is the perfect time to innovate and change how things have always been done. 76% have also seen 2020 as a chance to re-prioritise. As a result, people are taking shorter, more frequent blocks of leave. This can become a problem for business. So, as leaders, we need to make a shift from ‘the employee experience’ to ‘the life experience’. Supporting your employees in their personal lives more effectively enables them to not only live better lives, but also to perform at a higher level. Employers who do this, see a 21% increase in productivity.
I have also seen a trend called ‘The Great Resignation’, referring to the number of people switching jobs. In the US alone, April saw more than 4million people quit their jobs, which is the biggest spike on record. Why? The biggest factor is how staff are being treated by their employers. Flexibility has also become a factor. Since the events of 2020, there has been a 63% increase in the expectation that workplaces will be managing a hybrid workplace. We need to measure output vs time at the desk. When, or even where, people are completing their work has become an old mindset.
Everyone is exhausted and this is one of the top three issues faced by leaders as it impacts performance. So, how can you keep your work forced energised? I believe that we need to align our priorities and needs, to create a high-performance culture. It is no longer one size fits all as people are more in tune with what is important for them. We need to be creating a culture where employees feel valued and understand how they contribute to the higher purpose of the organisation.
As leaders we need to throw away the numbers and understand that your people are the power of your business. Relationships and trust are key. This is where we really need to level up. If your people don’t trust you, it will impact on performance, culture and engagement. We need to understand what people want and, how to get the most out of them. Taking time for reflection is a great way to elevate our thinking as leaders and constantly re-asses the needs of our team. Reflection gives our brains an opportunity to pause amongst the chaos, to untangle observations and then create meaning.
I believe that leadership is the difference that makes the difference. By walking in the shoes your employees you can drive change and creating high performing team.
So, sit back and enjoy this episode with Julie Hyde as she shares how we can Make It Count as a leader.
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