How Managers' Jobs are Changing and How to Adapt

Business is changing quickly these days, and with it, the job of managers. No longer just bosses who tell people what to do, managers today must build relationships, guide teams through uncertainty, coordinate virtual collaboration and connections, spark new ideas and lead impactful outcomes. Here are five key shifts managers must make to be effective today and in the future.

Shift 1: From Administrators to Relationship Builders

The manager role has evolved from a focus on oversight to one centered on developing and facilitating relationships across the workplace ecosystem. It starts with a new level of care and connection to each of their employees, which has become increasingly important post-pandemic.???

Next is creating a team environment where team members feel connected, supported and have a sense of belonging. But the work doesn’t stop there. Great managers help their teams navigate the organization by creating connections between departments, regions and functions. They even help them transcend the company to build strong external relationships with suppliers, customers and their community.?

Shift 2: From Boss to Guide for Uncertain and Disruptive Times

Managers can't just tell people what to do anymore. Businesses often operate under the illusion of control and certainty, believing they can predict and manage all outcomes. Successful managers recognize they can’t control everything. They let go of the old comfort system where the past predicted the future and instead focus on adaptability. They empower their team members to think for themselves and make good decisions.?

The key is moving from a command-and-control style to one of delegation and trust. Great managers regularly coach their employees to help them hone their instincts, ensure everyone has a clear sense of purpose and direction, and build systems to quickly flag when things get off track.?

Shift 3: From Staff Leader to Virtual Team Facilitator?

People are increasingly working flexible hours across multiple time zones and different locations. Given this, it is essential for managers to build strong teams that coordinate and collaborate despite the added obstacles of not working in the same place at the same time and without the benefit of spontaneous interactions. Specific ways that managers of virtual teams can close the gap include:??

• Providing clear and consistent communication.?
• Being available for your team members, even if they're working during different hours. This might involve adjusting your schedule to cater to different time zones or being responsive to messages outside of traditional working hours. It's about setting a precedent that every team member's input is valued and their concerns are heard and addressed.
• Balancing the team’s need for accessibility to each other while honoring people’s core work hours.?
• Facilitating asynchronous collaboration by leveraging tools and practices that enable team members to consume content and contribute when the time is right for them
• Making the extra effort to cultivate trust and rapport among team members. This includes building in time during meetings for recognition, feedback, reflection and personal interactions.

Shift 4: From Rule Maker to Innovation Catalyst

As automation and artificial intelligence disrupt critical jobs, it will be up to the managers to create an environment that welcomes new ideas and adapts to change. Great managers encourage people to take risks and learn from their mistakes rather than supporting the status quo. In addition, managers of the future will lead the way to a new era of augmenting the work people do with machines and technology to get the job done. They will drive new practices and operating systems to optimize productivity and results.?

Shift 5: From Performance Monitor to High-Impact Team Leader?

The highest-impact teams are aligned around a shared purpose. High impact team leaders build synergy among members to make a big impact instead of just checking the boxes on individual evaluation forms. The best teams work well together, trust each other and work towards collective results.?

Building a cohesive team culture and fostering engagement becomes more complex in a virtual environment.

Despite not sharing a physical space, a virtual team can still have a strong, shared culture. Managers can facilitate this by setting shared values, fostering an environment where everyone feels comfortable expressing their views, celebrating successes, recognizing individual contributions and organizing virtual team-building activities. It's all about creating a sense of belonging and camaraderie and creating real connections, despite the distance.?

Next Steps for Managers

The landscape of managerial responsibilities is undergoing radical transformation, shifting from old-school administration to proactive relationship building, guidance, virtual facilitation, innovation and leading high-impact teams. Here are some steps managers can take to thrive in the digital era.?

Invest in Relationship Building: Dedicate time and effort to know your team members on a personal basis. Schedule regular one-on-ones, use team building activities to strengthen bonds and foster a positive work environment?

Develop Adaptability: Embrace change as a constant and encourage your team to do the same. Invest in ongoing training and development, and encourage creativity as a means to overcome obstacles and seize opportunities.

Master Virtual Collaboration Tools: Equip yourself with the latest technologies that facilitate remote work, and train your team to use them effectively. Build a rhythm of regular check-ins and clear communication to maintain alignment and cohesion.

Foster a Culture of Innovation: Encourage your team to think outside the box and propose new solutions. Recognize and reward initiative and innovative ideas, and ensure everyone learns from their failures and successes.

Build High Impact Teams: Focus on creating teams that align under a shared purpose. Cultivate a trusting environment, celebrate diverse strengths, and facilitate open dialogues to harness the collective potential of your team.

It's crucial for every manager to adapt, evolve and master these new roles, not merely as a matter of survival, but also to create a vibrant, dynamic workplace where managers and their teams can thrive in the face of challenges and transformations. The future belongs to those managers who embrace these shifts and lead their teams toward new horizons of success.

Article originally posted on Reworked in August 2023.