"The leader who is forever in the learning mode is the one most likely to succeed." (Lee Thayer)
I’m not asking about the last meeting where your staff updated you with the number of prospects, growth trends, the number of new hires, or changes in company policies. Think of an instance where you just shared something superficial and trivial like the weather or weekend plans, something completely unrelated to work, something relating to how you are feeling.
#BAUU (Business As UnUsual) We’re living in strange times, mixing between virtual and physical, where it is the ‘new normal’ to carry out a Zoom / Teams meeting anywhere, anytime, with people experiencing (and following and also not following) quarantine, curfews, lockdowns, circuit-breakers and Levels 0-5. Do you think oversharing Zoom / Teams is a good thing? Why do we need small talk anyway?
The effort we are putting in to flatten the curve is undoubtedly remarkable, but it is also a fact that we are craving real human interactions, those water-cooler moments and face to face chit chat sessions back in the day.
Three weeks ago, the New York Times published an article stating that adults that lack constant and varied peer contact can become as socially awkward as inexperienced kids. The article also cited research conducted on individuals who endured an extended period in isolation, such as soldiers, astronauts, polar explorers, and prisoners. The results were that these people, due to their circumstances, deeply felt uncomfortable, impulsive, socially anxious, and intolerant when re-integrating with society.
"A strong leader accepts blame and gives the credit. A weak leader gives blame and takes the credit." (John Wooden)
In a previous letter, I mentioned how our teams are becoming increasingly more diverse, inclusive, and most importantly, remote. Having such a workforce is highly beneficial and all, but the obvious downside is not everybody knows everybody and many people may never ever meet each other physically.
Since that letter, I’ve been facilitating "ice-breaking sessions" with my teams. Additionally, I actively encourage our interns (yes they are employees too) to carry out numerous "virtual coffee meetings/gatherings" with members from different teams, ideally, people that they do not know, so they can connect and get to know each other.
By creating multiple opportunities for employees to interact instead of calling such ideas a waste of time will help create relationships, improve relationships, enhance relationships and foster friendships and thus increase morale, productivity, and creativity. And I have to say, after just a few weeks of implementing, the positive feedback from participants and the improved collaboration has truly wowed me. Interns are saying it’s the funniest thing in their internship and are forging the foundations of lifelong friendships with colleagues across the globe.
"Most leaders focus on finding the right strategy. The best leaders focus on empowering the right people." (Craig Groeschel)
There is indeed no way our meetups can replace physical face-to-face moments and make up for the lack of expression or body language, but you gotta do what you gotta do. We are not physically sitting in the same office building anymore. #BAUU
We all have a lot on our plate at the moment. The usual performance management metrics based on hours worked by an individual is no longer as relevant today as when it was first created in a pre-pandemic universe. Thus, I strongly believe that the top priority now is allowing our employees to have the flexibility to manage their own time between work and other commitments. We must create a sense of belonging and instil trust with an unprecedented level of transparency so that every single talent in our teams can confidently say what's on their minds, stay true to themselves, and at the same time, feel uplifted and accepted.
A lot to unpack, isn't it? Nobody said being a leader is an easy job. Furthermore, things can quickly escalate and run out of control. Even leaders need guidance from a reliable coach who can help you see and navigate the better paths. Coaching makes a powerful impact on both personal and professional levels, and I'm not saying this because I'm a coach, nor just because we have a Coaching Culture core value, but because I have seen actual improvements in my teams and those people that I coach.
Coincidentally (not) one of the most reputable leadership summits is just around the corner (today and tomorrow) - the Global Leadership eSummit brought to you by ITD World. This year, the event features an impressive lineup of world-class gurus on leadership, coaching, mentoring, and maximising human capital. Not only that, but this eSummit also provides a platform where CEOs and other top leaders share their best practices, proudest strategies that ignite exponential growth. I’ll be sharpening the saw and attending as you gotta be coached by the best to be the best … live and learn and dream.
"Leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence and making sure that the impact lasts in your absence." (Sheryl Sandberg)
Talking about ITD World, cards on the table, I’m a CCMP, my coach is speaking at the Global Leadership eSummit, and I have visions of attending the Certified Chief Master Coach.
So if you are feeling a tad overwhelmed and don’t know where to start, maybe it’s time for you to seek guidance from the best … and don’t forget, you can also ask me.
