Modernized Leadership Practices

At the beginning of January, I shared the first newsletter of 2023 covering predictions 1 to 5 on leadership modernization. Here is a link to that, if you missed it or are a new subscriber. This month's newlsetter is short & impactful.

I received a great private message in January, following trends 1 to 5. Out of respect for this connection, I'll redact some pieces and keep their personal comments anonymous. But it's important to share this....

"Hey Josh, a quick note to let you know that learning more about AI has been on my mind a while now and your newsletter here moved me to action. I've always said that I will pay people for domain expertise and I won't have time to lead at a high level if I get in the weeds of understanding all the technology ins/outs. I saw the course you linked was only 2 hours a week over 3 months, so I enrolled. I can carve out some time or hold time on Fridays this quarter. When I shared my 2023 certification goal with my executive peers, <redacted>, our CEO had us all enroll - even our CIO and CTO. It's now a topic on our monthly executive roundtable. You moved an entire organization of 25,000+ to have our walk match our talk, just thought you should know. Keep it coming! - Thx, <redacted>"

As a disclaimer, we make $0 off of that free course link, but I do gain some currency called trust. Which is priceless in consulting.

With that, let's move onto leadership trends 6 to 10 for 2023 & beyond. Items to take note of & plan accordingly for:

6. More Leadership Retreats Will Move Outdoors - There are numerous studies and research findings to reaffirm that being exposed to natural settings increases cognitive performance by calming the mind while allowing focus.

Instead of meeting in a hotel or conference center, consider meeting outside. Sit around a campfire to reconnect as a group and build deeper trust, embark on activities that mirror current challenges, and allow solo time for reflection and inspiration.

Increased performance, reduced stress, lifelong bonds and memories with co-workers is what you stand to gain by moving your seminar outside or including outdoor time in your conference events.

One of the most memorable leadership retreats I have ever planned or facilitated involved canoeing with 10 non-canoeing leaders down a swift moving river in rural Oklahoma. There were obstacles, challenges (and stories) of all kinds that presented themselves. Safely of course, for our HR friends. It was a catalyst to turning this group into the highest performing team I've ever worked with.

But don't sleep on the chalet's of Gatlinburg, TN or retreat ideas outside of Las Vegas, NV in the Red Rocks or north of Silicon Valley California. I was exposed to leadership retreats that went beyond an annual kickoff or conference dinner many years ago. If taken seriously, the ROI is significant. Cooking meals as a leadership team after a long day or even separating teams strategically into a Food Network Chopped style competition can be more fun & memorable than the nicest restaurant. We've been connecting under the stars & around open fire meals since the beginning of humans.

7. Language Based Translation Growth - Business consolidation, globalization, outsourcing, overseas expansion and other connections of products or services across languages is on the rise. With or without travel opening back up, being able to move your content into another language quickly, handle a sales opportunity in a language you don't support or translate code across a global team is something that those who've been doing it forever take for granted. For others, a very purposeful strategy to align and get used to using speech to text translation and other tools will be a must between 2023-2030. I've seen the market forecast for this technology for the same time period and the compound annual growth rate of this section of technology goes far beyond just Google Translate. Leveraging India for AI, Philipines for Customer Service, Caribbean for back-office work or tools to do all of that domestically via translation engines is a project in itself. We're now beyond hiring external operators or content creators for all the languages we may need to transfer someone or something to. In January 2023 alone, at Scoreboard Group Consulting , we've worked with companies or on projects with others from India, Mexico, Jamaica, France, UK, Canada & beyond. Leaders need to consider the benefits and how it may strengthen your DEI strategy internally to boot.

8. Organizational Structure & Hierarchy Shifts - While some organizations are constantly in the mode of reshuffling teams and structures, most still have outdated org charts that haven't been pressed for years. With the amount of layoffs happening, technology advancements and repurposed or new roles being established, there will be many intelligent leaders searching for the most optimal org structure to enable their goals. For larger enterprises, a movement of marketing and sales/service teams combining forces directly or via dotted line is not an abnormal movement. I.T. and Operations teams have nearly become blended in projects, even for organizations without a centralized support team or project management office. Some have re-aligned by product only, completely eliminating silos across the traditional Marketing, Sales, Delivery, Service & I.T. cross-functional teams. Do we go more universal in our handling of specific work types to gain efficiency or do we continue to specialize in specific areas to deliver effectiveness? What are the factors that have to be taken into account with these decisions, so we don't have to do it again next year or go backward? Should these org chart decisions be leader/strength specific, or simply based on what's best for customers or employees, no matter who occupies the helm of the team? Do we spin up a full AI / Analytics team for governance, or create these roles in every department? These questions, answers and decisions should not be taken lightly. But if you're not asking or answering them lately, you should find a resource or tool to begin considering it. Future-proofing is a trend we keep addressing as we deliver technology projects, AI strategy, CX design, etc.

9. Social Skill Reduction Disrupts Progress - 51% of Gen Z employees?say that their education has not prepared them to enter the workforce.?Isolation, 100% virtual roles and a lack of connection during and following lockdowns has had a dramatic effect on our workforce and communication. Understanding root cause, effects and attempting to reverse the trend will bring loyalty to employers who have a plan to address this. Revised internship approaches, personal development and carefully planning in-office activities within the first 90 to 180 days of employment are just a few examples of where to focus. It may even help you cut your turnover in half (as we've recently seen a clients) from recent years and get it back to reasonable levels. Addressing this with a long-term solution versus a short term band-aid. This is the critical thinking that leaders need to slow down and consider. Giving someone a new title to retain them is short-term.

10. People Will Continue to Invest in People & Stories - With attention spans diminishing, everyone moving faster, AI taking the easy tasks and other workplace distractions, the old school executive decision behaviors will move to every level of leader in the business. No one wants to take the time to look at your powerpoint deck, to click your link, to scour your website, to research your app or to beat around the bush on a call. Stop sending full novel long e-mails, get to the point, be concise, give me 1 to 3 things to consider or remember and maybe you can leave all of the detail for review. Frontline Managers and Directors are managing their energy & time now just like yesterday's impatient CEO. Time is a currency you can only spend once. More and more leaders at all levels are understanding this. Time and health are a form of wealth. But will the unexperienced, new leaders that are trying to make quick decisions in this manner overlook something costly? Previous generations executives got to progressive grumpiness over decades. What is the impact this will have longer-term on businesses and are there associated risks to hasty decisions?

As with trends 1-5, trends 6-10 have a major potential to disrupt leadership, customer experience and employee experience across the globe. As leaders we protect health and wealth through intention. Having a clear and intentional path or plan to address areas that are trending or underperforming. Finding balanced approaches between human-centric, tech & data powered strategy. AI is not going to take all of the jobs, but people who understand & know how to use AI eventually will. A new year should be a time of optimism, connection and intention. So, you have two choices to make now for 2023: 1. Have a great year. or 2. Have a REALLY great year. In Leadership - Josh.

Managers watch over your numbers, your time and your results.  

Leaders watch over you. As a person. 

Stop making excuses and start making some leadership adjustments.