A Great Divide is Coming: 6 Skills That Will Determine if You Are a Leader of Yesterday or Tomorrow
The pandemic changed the game. By now, we know that the corporate ecosystem will never return to what it once was. Remote employees, augmented staff, and flexible models are the new status quo.
And yet, over the last three years, I’ve spoken to so many supervisors, managers, and leaders who are still trying to apply the same skills and strategies that they used to manage a fully onsite team to manage a hybrid team now.
While this may have kept things afloat for a while, the aggressively rapid technological innovations are starting to sink those ships. It’s time for organizations to train their leaders in the specific skills required to successfully engage, manage, and communicate with a hybrid team.
McKinsey & Company predicts that by 2030, 375 million workers (about 14% of the global workforce) may need to switch occupations as digitization, automation, and advances in artificial intelligence disrupt the world of work. (source) Failing to adapt your management style to meet the demands of this new workforce will not only negatively affect your organization’s success but could also signal the demise of your future in leadership.
Want to keep your career trajectory headed in the right direction? Leaders who prioritize these previously underappreciated skills–skills that AI can’t fully replicate–will be the ones who get to move ahead while others get left behind.
6 Crucial Skills to Prioritize in Your Leadership Training
Agility: To stay ahead of the curve, leaders must be adaptable and able to handle shifting expectations, work environments, and skill requirements. This includes a mindset committed to innovation, the emotional capacity to cope with change, and the resilience to experiment with different strategies to find solutions.
Resourcefulness: In the age of AI, leaders must be willing to learn and adapt continuously. New skills will be required as technology advances, and leaders must stay current to remain effective.
Creativity: As AI takes over routine tasks, leaders should be freed up to bring imagination back to centerstage. However, innovation is a muscle that needs to be intentionally exercised. Creative thinking will be just as much about imagining what tasks should be transferred to AI as it is about devising new solutions to complex problems.
Communication: AI can automate many tasks but cannot replace human connection. Leaders must be able to effectively communicate with their teams, customers, and stakeholders, both in person and online.
Data Analysis: Leaders must understand how to collect, analyze, and interpret data to make informed decisions. With AI, vast amounts of data are available, and leaders must know how to leverage this information to drive business outcomes.
Emotional Intelligence: While AI can process data and perform tasks, it cannot replicate human emotions or empathy. Leaders must possess emotional intelligence to connect with their teams and build strong relationships.
We chose GROWTH as our word for 2024 for a good reason. It's not enough to rely on the skillsets that got you this far. To thrive in this new environment, leaders need to develop the skills to set them apart and set up their organizations for success. Don’t wait until you find yourself stuck in yesterday!
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Are you ready to invest in the training your leaders need to stay ahead of the curve by effectively engaging, managing, and communicating with a hybrid team? Learn more about our leadership workshops and retreats.
