Leadership in Changing Times
We hosted our Leadership in Changing Times breakfast panel at the Annex Theatre, a space rich in history, having transitioned from its origins as a church into a hub of creativity and community. It was an appropriate space to discuss dynamic leadership and its pivotal role in reshaping organizational cultures to embrace flexibility, purpose, and a sense of belonging.
Our panelists O’neil Edwards, Michelle Coombs and Hema Vyas along with our engaging audience shaped some key takeaways.
Michelle Coombs and Hema Vyas discuss the importance of organizational structures supporting leadership.
The importance of being aware of assumptions and complexities in multi-generational workplaces: Recognizing and addressing assumptions about generational disparities is vital, as they can significantly impact workplace dynamics. Leaders should cultivate empathy and robust team-building practices to navigate any tensions.
Distributed decision-making to reduce isolation and build skills: In an era marked by successive crises, leaders who shoulder sole responsibility risk burnout. Encouraging distributed decision-making empowers team members, fostering a culture of shared accountability and resilience. This approach not only enhances crisis management processes, it also cultivates leadership skills across the organization.
Embracing lifelong learning: Leaders who embrace and model lifelong learning build adaptable, innovative and engaged cultures. Make it fun! Leaders can keep it fresh by sharing their learning mistakes and victories. Strong learning leaders also consider how their teams are pondering new concepts and ideas. Some team members, for example, may be considering the impact of new technologies on their jobs.
Fostering organizational scaffolding: Strong leadership exists because it is supported by effective organizational structures. Organizations need to consider how to empower leaders to drive successful outcomes and foster a collaborative, growth-oriented environment.
Embracing organizational fluidity: In a rapidly evolving landscape, organizations must embrace fluidity and adaptability to thrive. Our Fluidity MatrixTM assists organizations assess their cultural evolution and navigate the steps needed to achieve their desired state. We will be sharing more about this!
A dynamic sense of leadership is about collective effort and commitment. So don’t be afraid to reach out! Find the support you need in your organization and in your networks to thrive in changing times.