In a volatile and uncertain year like 2024, businesses are tightening their belts amid a still prevailing recessionary sentiment. Banks are keeping their interest rates at record high levels, contracting consumer spending even further. Keeping this in mind, it is certain that organizations will need to balance their financial and people interests, which could turn into a double whammy. Workplace dynamics are shifting from discussions about flexible working to the introduction of the 4-hour workweek, while the climate debate is getting louder and even more confronting to non-complying individuals.
Leading in times of crisis has always been a challenge, but New Age Leadership equips us to do just that. Driving change and innovation while (literally) saving the planet will be a necessary skill for leaders this year.
This time, I would like to take the opportunity to share my key leadership observations for this year.
1. Leadership is About Being a Better Version of Yourself:
“Why does everybody talk about Leadership on every corner?” – one of my clients asked me last year. I looked back at him, puzzled.
It is true that the word “leadership” seems to be overused in corporate lingo, on social media, and in books. There is a multi-billion-dollar industry docked onto it. The first observation is the ancient truth that leadership is, at its core, a journey of self-discovery and improvement. To lead others, one must first master the art of leading oneself. Leadership is the quest for becoming a better person. However, by becoming a leader, one maximizes the impact of their actions. Being a leader is more than being a good person alone. Having said that, leadership is unconnected to titles or jobs. Leadership has received a lot of bad publicity in the past, as leaders have failed their people times and times around. That is why I worked last year on designing a new, updated version of leadership. Leadership 2.0. Or as I like to call it: New Age Leadership.
This year, I am convinced that every person in every profession would benefit from the simple principles of New Age Leadership. By using the MAP Method (Mindset, Actions, People), individuals across the globe have a simple tool to accelerate the impact of their intentions while mastering self-development. A win-win, isn’t it?
2. Leadership is Like Karate Kid:
Wax on, wax off! The second observation draws inspiration from the classic teachings of Mr. Miyagi in “Karate Kid.” Leadership, much like the disciplined art of martial arts, requires dedication, patience, and a mastery of fundamentals. Talking to Monsters across the globe last year, I did get quite a few “Is this it?” looks when I presented them with the simple principles of the MAP Method.
Yes, it indeed is very simple. Adjusting your mindset, sharpening your actions, and nurturing your people is the magic trifecta when it comes to New Age Leadership in 2024 and beyond. From the seemingly mundane tasks to the grand strategies, every move contributes to the overall success of the leader.
And no wonder, Monsters, 2024 will be another year where we will be asked to move faster, better, and more efficiently. So, whether you find yourself painting fences or sanding the floor in your leadership journey, remember that each task shapes you into a wise and formidable leader. And when you look back at 2024, you will connect the dots, and it will all make sense.
3. Intergenerational Collaboration is the Key to Unlocking Talent Issues:
As I learned that the “Big Boss,” my first boss, who was eight years into his retirement, has returned to the workplace as a part-time employee in his old team, it all started making sense. Working alongside Millennials and Baby Boomers half (or a third!!) of his age, it became clear to me that the so-called “future of work” has already arrived, and it poses new challenges for leaders.
In the dynamic landscape of 2024, we witness the delayed retirement of Baby Boomers but also their “big comeback,” as organizations face enormous talent gaps and turn to their former employees for help. Baby Boomers now work on teams with considerably younger peers, requiring a new set of skills for their managers to lead effectively. Many managers are leading both considerably older and considerably younger team members, potentially jeopardizing team harmony. From lingo to working habits and preferred communication methods, the workplace is becoming a potential minefield of intergenerational conflict and “us vs them” mentality.
Leaders and people managers must demonstrate generational awareness, enabling them to shift the lens when they speak to different age groups and balance their evolving needs. This requires knowing the background of each generation, where they come from, how they grew up, and the implications that these factors have in the present environment.
By fostering an environment of mutual learning, understanding, and collaboration, New Age Leaders can unleash the true potential of their teams and pave the way for a future where leadership transcends generational boundaries.
4. Gen Z is Dictating Workplace Dynamics:
As the torchbearers of innovation and digital prowess, Gen Z is weaving a new narrative for the workplace. From their tech-savvy insights to their thirst for purpose-driven work, these young leaders are reshaping how we perceive and engage in our professional endeavors.
“So what is so special about Gen Z? They are just young. I was also young and idealistic once. And then I grew up.” – a Gen X leader asked me during an event. I looked back and couldn’t help but agree: There is not much that is special about Gen Z.
They have the relentless sense of justice, responsibility, and sustainability as every young generation ever did. The Boomers also used to be large activists fighting the establishment. And then they got jobs and joined the exact same establishment they were fighting against. There is one fundamental difference, though. Gen Zers are a much smaller generation than the Baby Boomers were. They live in times when talent is scarce, and their digital skills are increasingly sought-after by employers. And because they are smaller in numbers, Gen Zers hold the power to the workplace dynamics. They decide what kind of organizations they will join, and if they don’t feel attuned to the values of the business, they are not having it.
On second thought, there is something very special about Gen Z. They are young, scarce, and relentless.
In conclusion, 2024 is a year filled with challenges for Leaders and Managers, so let us navigate this path with courage, wisdom, and following the principles of New Age Leadership. Stay monstrous, stay visionary, and lead on!
Monstrously Yours,
Helena
