The World Has Changed, Do You Have What It Takes for 2022?

In order to succeed in the coming decade, leaders must embrace change and transformation. As we approach the end of 2021, it's time to reflect upon just how hard the pandemic rocked the business world, leaving many companies in shambles and countless individuals unemployed or underemployed. Some leaders embrace change, inspired to grow their businesses in a new way — but many others are stuck in the past, unwilling to evolve to survive. Here are ten leadership trends that are emerging now so you can prepare for what's ahead for your company and your career in 2022...

1) Focus On Culture.

Transformational leaders who work to support their organisation's culture are more successful than those who don't. Organisations with a strong sense of shared purpose grow faster and last longer. By embracing new ways of thinking, creating a transparent environment, and trusting your employees, you can transform your organisation into one that thrives through change. Culture is hard to change, but it's worth it for your company and its employees. Suppose you look at all recent high-profile business transformations like Salesforce's epic overhaul in 2013 or Under Armour's pivot back in 2016. In that case, chances are they had something in common: an innovative leader who was focused on transforming his or her team into industry leaders. 2018 will be all about organisational health; there will be no place for toxic environments filled with resentment or unenthusiastic workers. To survive, businesses must innovate and motivate their teams.

2) Embrace Technology?

For many companies, technological advancement has been a source of competitive advantage. More and more businesses are leveraging Technology—from new cloud-based applications to complex machine learning systems—to improve product development, customer service, and supply chain management. The way that we go about doing business is undergoing transformation, but it's up to us as leaders in our field to help guide that change. We can either be dragged into tomorrow kicking and screaming, or we can be inspired by its possibilities today. If you want to succeed in business during 2022 and beyond, you have no choice but to embrace technology as an important part of your organisation's value proposition.

3) Surround Yourself With Creative People

When you surround yourself with intelligent, creative people, you're not only able to bounce ideas off of them—you're also able to feed off their energy. When everyone is on board and excited about an idea, momentum builds, and there's no stopping it. So, if you want your business transformation to be successful, find other leaders who are ready for growth. If you want something done right... you know what I mean!?

4) Think Long Term

The future might seem daunting, but it also represents an unprecedented opportunity for businesses. From a leadership perspective, many companies and leaders are embracing change—encouraging their employees to think outside of traditional day-to-day perspectives and instead look at what they can achieve in 5 years (or even 10 years) from now. What is a company's legacy? How will you want to be remembered? These are just some of the questions that business leaders may find themselves pondering as we move toward 2022. It's time for businesses to start preparing for change if they haven't already done so; there isn't much time left before changes become hard or impossible to implement within organisations.

5) Empower Employees

In most businesses, employees are highly empowered. Many leaders see empowerment as an integral part of business transformation. How can you empower your employees today? Do you provide a space for them to contribute their own ideas? Do you train them regularly and allow them opportunities to expand their skill set? Can they come up with innovative solutions that help your business grow? If not, how will you change it? Will you be able to do it alone or should you begin now by seeking outside assistance from experts? Take a hard look at what's working and what's not. There's no time like 2019 to get started on preparing for changes ahead!

6) Be Inclusive

Being inclusive doesn't just mean hiring; it means fostering a culture of inclusivity throughout your organisation. This can include offering flexible work hours, rotating shifts, and helping with family caregiving or other personal issues. Inclusion means open discussions about important issues to everyone regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation. A new generation is rising, and they want an inclusive workplace where they feel comfortable being their authentic selves without judgement or discrimination. They expect you to hold them accountable too! As business leaders, you must be proactive at creating these forums and offering opportunities that allow everyone to contribute. Everyone has something valuable to offer – whether it's one of your newer employees who think outside the box or an older employee who brings experience gained over the years on your team. Don't overlook anyone during our future talent shortage! Be inclusive!

7) Embrace Diversity

Consider your organisation's makeup. Are you currently culturally diverse? Does your company tap into a wide array of different talent pools, or do you tend to draw from a small pool of candidates in select regions? Diversity is not only a hot-button issue in today's political climate, but it also is an essential component of modern business. Diversity leads to innovation and invention—as those who have historically been excluded become innovators due to their status as outsiders. According to research conducted by McKinsey & Company, diverse companies outperform non-diverse organisations by 36 percent. If leading a business that embraces diversity is important to you and your values, reach out to traditionally underrepresented groups at universities near your office. Look online for minorities who may be interested in working with you; consider offering minority college students positions during summer break if they seem eager about what you are doing.

8) Collaborate?

Collaboration is key. When an industry is shifting significantly, you'll need plenty of help from partners and peers to prepare your organisation for change. Don't be afraid to reach out to others—it could end up being a beneficial partnership that lasts far beyond 2022. Consider sharing resources and even pooling funds together with other business leaders so that you can each grow as quickly as possible. Keep in mind. However, that collaboration doesn't always mean partnering; instead, it can mean working independently with different parts of your team (and maybe even with some external agencies) to tackle specific issues or opportunities related to business transformation.

9) Create Transparency ?

Some leaders are embracing change, inspired to grow their businesses in a new way. One of these trends is creating a transparent culture that fosters trust among employees. People feel valued when they know their contributions are noticed and appreciated, but only if their manager has clear expectations. When you're open about expectations, it also builds trust with your team because everyone can anticipate what will happen next. This means everyone stays on track and productive while also avoiding unnecessary surprises or disappointments as work progresses. Transparency helps workers understand how their role fits into broader goals too—helping them develop a sense of ownership over those goals so they're not just working on some random task but rather contributing toward something meaningful (and motivating). By building trust through Transparency, you encourage innovation while minimising doubt.