With the advent of the Covid-19 pandemic, our once-systematic world was thrown into chaos and confusion. The global lockdowns and closures caused disruptions in every individuals life, be it personally, professionally, or academically. As a result, the normal of the post-pandemic world is much different than that of the pre-pandemic world.
The pandemic created the need for interventions that would have otherwise taken years to materialise. Such tremendous changes have put a lot of burden on the leaders inside organisations since the employees are dependent on the leaders for guidance and inspiration. It is now tougher for leaders to keep inspiring and leading effectively in a world that was turned upside down.
As of 2022, 16% of companies globally have gone fully remote following the Covid-19 pandemic. Even in the present day, the effects of the pandemic linger, and most systems adopted during the pandemic have not gone back to normal. The onset of the pandemic has also raised various mental health concerns. A study shows that at least 50% of adults believe that their lives post-pandemic are much different than pre-pandemic.
With such huge changes and shifts, to be impactful leaders in a post-pandemic world, a new approach needs to be constructed. We have gathered 4 ways that leaders of the present day can adapt to be more impactful and inspirational.
1. Act as if you are on the verge of big changes
It has been more than 2 years since the outbreak of the pandemic, but things have hardly gone back to being exactly as they were in the past. Every now and then, the world is struck with the news of a new variant of Covid-19, and uncertainty still looms large.
Being prepared for change and having a high level of flexibility and adaptability to cater to unforeseen circumstances is how a leader today can be more impactful. The leader needs to be ready and well prepared for any upcoming changes. We witnessed multiple businesses that came crumbling down during the pandemic due to a lack of adaptability. On the contrary, businesses that were able to adapt swiftly to the new normal flourished.
An impactful leader is required not just to stay flexible himself, but to instil a degree of flexibility within his team and prepare them for change and new challenges.
2. Become a better communicator.
When thrown in the midst of chaos and confusion, organisations had to take significant steps to avoid losses and shutdown. Some had to go fully remote, others had to lay off a huge chunk of their workforce. It was an overnight shift of systems and methods. Adapting to remote working was a big challenge for many firms and their employees. Had it not been for leaders with effective communication skills, an even greater percentage of organisations would have had to shut down.
To be effective in a post-pandemic world, leaders need to reevaluate their interpersonal and communication skills. In the midst of confusion, leaders should be able to carve out a clear path for their teams towards business objectives. Leaders need to be more transparent and honest with their employees to increase engagement among the team.
3. Show empathy and concern for employees mental health
The pandemic has severely affected the mental health of many individuals, leading to long-lasting stress and anxiety in most cases. To be more impactful in a post-pandemic world, a leader needs to demonstrate genuine empathy. Emotional connection and understanding are needed now more than ever before.
Covid-19 has affected each and every individual in some way. Being more aware of employee needs and circumstances, and treating employees with empathy needs to be part of the new normal. Impactful leaders must let go of the rigidly enforced plans and set realistic goals for both themselves and their followers.
4. Stay ahead of the curve by being open to new technology
Remote working was a new concept for most organisations and wrapping their heads around this new way of working was a big challenge. However, organisations and particularly employees who were technologically savvy did not find it daunting to adapt to the new work setting. On the other hand, organisations that were totally dependent on in-person and office-based operations suffered, with many of them calling it quits.
Staying ahead of the curve and being adept at technology, as well as new tools and software, is essential for a leader in a post-pandemic world.
Key Takeaway
The Covid-19 pandemic seems to be nearing its end in many nations worldwide. However, uncertainty and ambiguity are not going to end any time soon. The word normal is interpreted differently in a post-pandemic world. Hence, traditional ways and approaches of leadership are not a good fit for the present and the future world. The 4 ways weve outlined above can help leaders to be more impactful in the post-pandemic world.
About SeraphCorp
SeraphCorp is a Singapore-based leadership consulting firm that provides leadership development training, coaching, workshops, and bespoke programmes. Our goal is pure and simple: to strengthen the ecosystem of quality education and training in Singapore, to impact communities by building up leaders, and to have every organisation and every leader come away from our programmes fundamentally changed in some way.
Our clients include leaders and managers from all sectors and industries, while the companies we work with span the spectrum from SMEs to global corporations. Our faculty is recruited from diverse fields & industries and have previously been CEO, CFO, general manager, founders of companies, head banker and director.
Whether you need your organisations leaders to engage better with its employees or identify the leadership capabilities essential for your organisation to continue to thrive and grow, we can help you accomplish your leadership goals.
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