Leading Fearlessly Into the New Norm

Categories: All Posts, Blog, Willis

Our world is changing…this is something that we hear every day. You cannot turn on the TV or radio without hearing about a “new normal” that is being established. As we have pushed forward through our first global pandemic in 100 years we have to ask, how will this affect the workforce? The honest answer is that no one really knows. However, all this uncertainty has given leaders the opportunity to step up and out of their comfort zones and to make changes on levels that may have seemed impossible before this considerable event. Here, we list a few tips for leaders to help them navigate this new normal.

Utilize Your Team Members
You didn’t go through the hiring process just for your team members to sit idle, you brought them on because you know they can get the job done and get it done right. If you attempt to micromanage your team or to be a part of every piece of the puzzle, you will not get the results you need. Instead, empower your team to be the best they can be. Make sure they have the tools to succeed and then trust them to get the job done even if it is not necessarily how you would do it.

Practice Proper Communication
Great leaders should know how to be heard and understood, but they should also know how to listen. In many instances, communication methods can make or break a business. Gaps in communication should be addressed immediately but be sure you are not steamrolling the conversation so that communication only goes your way. Remember, good communication is a two-way street.

Be Proactive, Instead of Reactive
Being a proactive leader means making decisions effectively and efficiently while considering all aspects of a situation, even if there are many unknown factors. This can be tricky, and there is no playbook for our current situation, so you have to create your own. You must look forward to what lies ahead while also being aware of what is going on in the present. This may feel like an unending process of changes and process adjustments but don’t worry, it gets easier!

Self-care
Now we need to talk about you, yes you. Remembering to care for yourself while caring for your team can be hard. Know your limits, knowing what you can and cannot tolerate can save you and your team from many difficult situations. Stop working on vacation, data from the 2018 American Time Use survey indicates that 30% of full-time employees report working weekends and holidays, stop it. That time is for you to recoup and get your head back in the game. You are being no one’s hero when you deny yourself, and your team, a break.

And finally, don’t be afraid to ask for help, no one knows everything nor can they do it all alone. The best leaders know when they need help and where they can turn to get it. Great leaders – fearless leaders – are the ones who will continue to learn, grow, and find new ways to improve themselves and their teams. Keep your mind open, keep moving forward, and remember Willis HR is always here to help in the new normal and beyond.

Leading Fearlessly Into the New Norm

Our world is changing…this is something that we hear every day. You cannot turn on the TV or radio without hearing about a “new normal” that is being established. As we have pushed forward through our first global pandemic in 100 years we have to ask, how will this affect the workforce? The honest answer is that no one really knows. However, all this uncertainty has given leaders the opportunity to step up and out of their comfort zones and to make changes on levels that may have seemed impossible before this considerable event. Here, we list a few tips for leaders to help them navigate this new normal.

Utilize Your Team Members
You didn’t go through the hiring process just for your team members to sit idle, you brought them on because you know they can get the job done and get it done right. If you attempt to micromanage your team or to be a part of every piece of the puzzle, you will not get the results you need. Instead, empower your team to be the best they can be. Make sure they have the tools to succeed and then trust them to get the job done even if it is not necessarily how you would do it.

Practice Proper Communication
Great leaders should know how to be heard and understood, but they should also know how to listen. In many instances, communication methods can make or break a business. Gaps in communication should be addressed immediately but be sure you are not steamrolling the conversation so that communication only goes your way. Remember, good communication is a two-way street.

Be Proactive, Instead of Reactive
Being a proactive leader means making decisions effectively and efficiently while considering all aspects of a situation, even if there are many unknown factors. This can be tricky, and there is no playbook for our current situation, so you have to create your own. You must look forward to what lies ahead while also being aware of what is going on in the present. This may feel like an unending process of changes and process adjustments but don’t worry, it gets easier!

Self-care
Now we need to talk about you, yes you. Remembering to care for yourself while caring for your team can be hard. Know your limits, knowing what you can and cannot tolerate can save you and your team from many difficult situations. Stop working on vacation, data from the 2018 American Time Use survey indicates that 30% of full-time employees report working weekends and holidays, stop it. That time is for you to recoup and get your head back in the game. You are being no one’s hero when you deny yourself, and your team, a break.

And finally, don’t be afraid to ask for help, no one knows everything nor can they do it all alone. The best leaders know when they need help and where they can turn to get it. Great leaders – fearless leaders – are the ones who will continue to learn, grow, and find new ways to improve themselves and their teams. Keep your mind open, keep moving forward, and remember Willis HR is always here to help in the new normal and beyond.