If the past few years have taught us anything, it’s that we can adapt when we need to.
Businesses in all industries have found new ways of getting things done, and some changes were literally implemented overnight.
If our organizations are going to keep up, we certainly need to make sure our leaders continue to adapt. When developing our current and future leaders, the following updated skills are must-haves.
Critical Thinking
Senior leaders are feeling the pressure. They’re being asked to make decisions that will determine the success of their companies and their people. And they’re forced to make these decisions with limited information.
Some collaborative leaders are asking their direct reports for input on what their teams need, and their questions are met with a surprising and deafening silence. How can seasoned managers be in a position where they don’t know what they need?
The answer is often that they’re overwhelmed with the constant changes they’ve endured. They’ve had to navigate circumstances that weren’t anticipated and workloads that have hijacked their work-life balance.
We must give them the space to breathe and think. Only then will they be able to think critically and make decisions that are based on current circumstances.
Otherwise, senior leaders and middle managers will be looking at each other for answers while the competition passes them by.
Connecting with Others
Of all the effects the COVID-19 crisis had on our lives, a significant challenge has been our ability to interact and connect with others. At the height of the pandemic, 65% of all U.S. workers reported feeling disconnected from their workplace (Pew Research 2020).
Research shows that the benefits of a sense of connectedness at work are clear, impacting employee’s self-confidence, mental health, and their desire to stay with an organization. Most of us are interacting with less people, which makes it tougher to get fresh perspectives that fuel innovation and cross-functional collaboration.
We’ve got to be intentional about connecting with others, whether they’re our direct reports, colleagues, customers, or others. Not only is it strategic, it’s also energizing!
Telling Stories with Data
The availability of and access to data has opened up a wealth of opportunity for organizations.
Team members are often required to analyze data, identify trends and connections, then draw conclusions. There is a great deal of value in this work that can only be leveraged fully when we are able to tell the compelling stories behind the data, sharing insights that are clear and actionable.
Leaders who can help people translate data into actions they can take to achieve their goals are very valuable — this is a skillset that will pay dividends at all levels of the organization.
To learn how Dale Carnegie can help your team to be more effective, visit our website at www.dalechicago.com or call us at 630.390.6050.
