How 2024 Will Change the Way Leaders Lead Forever

Each year, or even every quarter, leadership adapts and changes with the times. However, there are some common themes that we can keep up with to ensure we are not falling behind or not giving our team the best they deserve. Recently, one of the most significant themes we have seen take the workforce by storm is the need to be seen as more than just a number. Employees, and rightfully so, want to be seen as human.?

Leadership Is Becoming More HUMAN

Leaders and their teams are finding that there is more to a successful business than its numbers and profits. In order to find success, both leaders and employees need to remember that we are all humans—people who need support, care, and enthusiasm to grow. This change being made in 2024 will, I believe, set up future leaders and their teams for great success as we all shift to a more human approach to business.

1. The Growth of Emotional Intelligence and Empathy

Ruling with an iron fist does not work anymore. In order to get the most out of your team, rule with an empathetic mindset. Empathy can put you in your team’s shoes, allowing you to understand where they are coming from and better maneuver around the situations you and your team find yourself in. The workforce isn’t asking for the moon and the stars; they simply ask to be treated as humans.

This also means that leaders must focus on honing their emotional intelligence to increase not only their self-awareness but also their social awareness. When emotional intelligence is grown from within, leaders can better understand their strengths and weaknesses and ensure they approach conversations, problems, and decisions with the best of intentions.?

2. Prioritization of Culture?

Alongside emotional intelligence and empathy, culture has become a significant necessity for many entering the workforce today. Culture is more than just a hard-working attitude. It is the foundation on which your organization and team build off of. By prioritizing a human-first culture, you show that your business trusts and supports its employees. When you go about establishing a culture within your business that focuses on the people and is there for the success of everyone, remember that your culture is just as good as the worst behavior you are willing to put up with. Culture includes everyone. In order to create a supportive, sustainable, and growing culture, everyone must be on board.?

3. The Focus of Mental Health and Well-Being?

The last few years have put a spotlight on worker’s mental health and well-being, and 2024 and beyond are going to solidify its importance to the workforce. As you build a culture that revolves around the success of your employees, you must acknowledge that mental health is involved in that. Many businesses have come to include free counseling appointments, gym memberships, mental health days, and flexible work schedules in their benefits packages to help support the mental well-being of their employees. As a leader, it is your responsibility that everyone on your team is excelling, and one way to ensure that is to remember that more goes into productive work than just the eight hours they sit at their desks.?

4. Inclusivity at Its Best?

Your DEI strategies have not meant more to your business’s success than they do right now. Leaders who focus on developing, implementing, and continuously improving their DEI strategies are seeing immense success among their current employees as well as hiring new ones. Once again, this revolves around the idea of the workforce becoming more human-centric. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are sought after by employees everywhere as they want to join a team where they will be treated fairly, listened to, and welcomed with open arms.?

The human-first approach is only growing, and 2024 will continue solidifying it for leaders and teams. As time moves forward, we will see this continue to be a necessity, so are you ready to take on this approach? If you have further questions or want to become a stronger leader for your team, send me a message or check out my coaching opportunities at Marvin Carolina Jr.