DEMANDS OF NEW AGE LEADERSHIP

Times would never be stable. Be it the great recession in 2007-08 or the pandemic, the industry is bound to face challenges and turbulent times. The great resignation in 2022 followed by lay-offs and recession in 2023 will keep expecting leaders to be extremely adept at managing the toughest phases in the lifecycle of any organisation. Skills such as critical thinking and creativity undoubtedly help organisations flourish and outperform. While, there cannot be one single manual for highly effective leadership, the article highlights certain traits that a leader would require irrespective of whether the sea is rough or peaceful.

1.????Empathy-?Empathy has been found to be one of the most significant and critical skills for leaders. Being able to put oneself in the shoes of peer and employees has been seen to have some long enduring effects on how employees respond to various situations. Besides, the fact that being empathetic with your team members would help develop a strong bond within the team, empathy can have certain constructive effects too. A recent study by Forbes reported that when employees reported their leaders to be empathetic, 61% of them reported to be more innovative. Alongside, empathy seems to be an important factor in managing attrition as employees felt more respected and trusted within the organization.

2.????Executive Intelligence- This refers to an executive’s capability to accurately analyze situations and solve problems efficiently. This would involve working with and through people and also adapting one’s own behavior as the situation demands. Anticipating obstacles well in time should be followed by strategizing to overcome these obstacles in the most efficient manner.

3.????Coping with disappointment and distress- Leaders need to learn coping mechanisms to deal with situations that can lead to disappointment and distress. It is imperative to be aware of one’s own emotions to be able to manage them. It is highly recommended by several leaders to keep oneself recharged and rejuvenated. This has been found to have significant and profound effects on performance and creativity at work. With changing circumstances, it is important for leaders to practice the power of living in the present. While learning from the past and planning for the future have their benefits but living in the now helps people cope faster. Every leader can have their own coping style to be able to bounce back faster and sooner.

4.????Being Humble and Receptive- Corner offices have always been lucrative and a dream of all professionals. However, corner offices come with their own set of challenges. Your cabin can be surrounded by glass walls, but it is important that you are as approachable by your employees. Your exemplary leadership skills have made you eligible for the corner office. But receiving fresh ideas from peers and colleagues would help you to be perceived as a humble and receptive leader. This has long-drawn impacts on internal communication where you develop a tribe of employees who believe in your vision and ideology.

5.????Optimally Discreet- As a leader one is expected to wear multiple hats which could range from that of a mentor to that of an organizational ombuds. What to share, when to share and with who all to share information should be a planned step while communicating with your team members. Interestingly, a research study done by BBC points out that ambiverts are better leaders. It helps leaders being aware of one’s own natural style, and realizing when the situation may call for the opposite end of the extravert-introvert paradigm. For instance, you may want to share some exciting news with your team but still decide on when and who all should know about it.

As we are moving into the age of Gen Z, there has been a shift from assessing leaders purely on the basis of profits or vintage in the organization to skills that have deeper associations. Softer skills have replaced relatively more tangible data points when it comes to realizing the potential of a leader. Organizations who are taking cognizance of the softer skills are definitely performing better in ever competitive markets, providing an edge over competition. Hence,?having positive bottom lines and satisfied workforce.

Author: Dr. Nivedita Srivastava, Founder & CEO,?9 LINKS- The Assessment Company.

Dr. Nivedita Srivastava is the Founder and CEO of 9 LINKS- The Assessment Company, an organization in the domain of psychometric assessment across hierarchical levels and industry sectors. Nivedita is a Fellow of NITIE, Mumbai with a strong background in both research and consulting. Nivedita is a business psychologist and specializes in the area of leadership development, employability skills, and organizational development besides core psychometric assessment with an experience of more than twenty years. She has various publications and articles to her credit. She has been instrumental in helping organizations resolve challenges around various HR processes. Nivedita has also been actively involved in sharing her knowledge with various corporates and leading B-Schools.