Leadership trends in a world of constant change – Mary T. O’Sullivan

by Mary T. O’Sullivan, MSOL, contributing writer on business leadership

“Unsurprisingly, most leaders are feeling the pressure right now. How can you lead for sustained success in a world of constant change?” – IMD

By the middle of 2024, organizations should have figured out that the workforce is different, and along with that change, the demands on leadership behaviors has had to modify as well. It’s no secret that managing change is a critical leadership quality, but many leaders fumble, and lose quality talent, especially among the younger generations.

The latest HR studies support this idea, and consulting firms promote the urgency of understanding change in the workplace, giving leaders the tools they need to embrace new ways of thinking and improve their bottom line. With the sea change in the workplace, and uncertainty in the future, workers are feeling stressed.

The Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) has issued its first quarter incivility index and found that 58% of Americans believe society is uncivil. Forbes released a study showing that approximately 70% of Americans feel that the nation as a whole does not care about their well-being. The American Institute of Stress reported that 83% of Americans experience stress on a regular basis.  IMB, a consulting firm, has found in its research that only 12% of leaders possess the leadership skills required to lead their organizations in change.

In the hangover of the COVID-19 pandemic, continued changes are inevitable, and disruptions to the “normal” flow of work are destined to linger. This reality has the world of business with a giant headache that raw eggs and tomato juice won’t cure. Here are some suggestions that researchers have found that can work to help leaders understand the need for adaptability and flexibility in this new world of work.

1. Be a catalyst for growth. The upheaval of the world in the last few years may have organizations off their game. Today, there is a confluence of events that impact change: still unknown infectious diseases, wars, generative AI, a polarized society, and inflation, among others. But if leaders keep the organization’s vision and mission in mind, they’ll be empowered to initiate bold and courageous decisions by proving their resiliency. Maybe a divestiture or acquisition is needed, or new accommodations for remote workers, support for workers’ health and well-being as well as financial well-being are all new ways of adapting to the transformation of work. When workers feel cared for, the bottom line improves.

• Develop and practice empathy. Don’t forget that you are human and so are your employees. The language for people in organizations has got to change. Why are people known as “slots” or “heads”? It’s dehumanizing. Give up the stereotype of a remote and “all powerful” leader. You’re not the Wizard of Oz. People want respect from leaders and each other on the job. The leader can model these behaviors by being transparent and authentic. Employees spend more time at work than in any other activity, it should be a rewarding experience, not a miserable one. Work toward a flatter organization. It’s not that easy to talk to the boss when he or she is five layers above.

• Embrace AI. AI is going well beyond ChatGPT, and it’s time to lighten the workload by incorporating this amazing tool into the organization. Teams need to acquire the right skills to reap AI’s remarkable benefits. That means the organization must invest in the proper training and upskilling. AI has already proven its usefulness in law, medicine and accounting. AI applications in your workforce can streamline many tasks with the added benefit of providing the organization with data that otherwise would be difficult to assemble.

Now, we are experiencing a workforce revolution not seen since the 18^th century. COVID forced our hand into new ways of thinking and working. Leaders who strive to grow their organizations need to embrace change by setting an example for their workers. Come to the table with a growth mindset, empower the workforce with AI and other tools, learn to be more human and empathetic. Change is now a principle way to globally competitiveness.

“As a leader, it’s your responsibility to remain aware of … key changes and embrace [the latest] leadership trends” – Rachelle Wells in Forbes

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Mary T. O’Sullivan, Master of Science, Organizational Leadership, International Coaching Federation Professional Certified Coach, Society of Human Resource Management, “Senior Certified Professional. Graduate Certificate in Executive and Professional Career Coaching, University of Texas at Dallas.

Member, Beta Gamma Sigma, the International Honor Society.

Advanced Studies in Education from Montclair University, SUNY Oswego and Syracuse University.

Mary is also a certified Six Sigma Specialist, Contract Specialist, IPT Leader and holds a Certificate in Essentials of Human Resource Management from SHRM.