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When the country went into lockdown last March, leaders had to make some snap decisions to ensure their companies remained productive and profitable.
Remote work became more mainstream, video calls took the place of business travel, and work environments became more flexible. Leadership styles too had to make a shift.
When we say core leadership fundamentals don’t change, that’s not to say they don’t evolve. It was in 1963 that John F. Kennedy wrote “Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.” That will always hold true. But as JFK said, leadership improves with change, and the quarantine accelerated a few that we should keep.
Work/Life Balance
Expectations of work/life balance, for example, has made a dramatic shift since mid 20th century. Lifestyles and needs are entirely different. No longer do we live in a society where a one-income household is expected, and working until we drop is much less in favor – especially with the younger generations.
Trusting Autonomy
At one point it was farfetched to believe your employees could work efficiently from home. Trusting employees to manage their own workload and time made a big leap into the mainstream over the past year. We don’t need to be face-to-face with our employees to believe they are being productive.
Intentional Culture
Company culture did not used to be cultivated. It was a by-product of leadership that was seldom prioritized. Employees were hired to fill a role and what they brought to the table dictated their own path within the company. Over the past few decades, companies have begun investing in more deliberate leadership development efforts to build a culture that draws in, grows, and retains the right people. This past year has highlighted the value the investment brings.
Although lessons from great leaders throughout history will resonate into the future, there will always be shifts. Some will be temporary and some will be lasting. What changes did you make that you will keep post-Covid?
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