Lots has been written about the future of work – and how it will look different because of viruses, technology, and geopolitical change. There is little doubt that the future will be different. Recently I asked readers this question: as a leader, are you ready to lead in the future? It is a fair and important question, but there is a problem with it.
Generally, when we think about the future, we are thinking about something “later.” Preparing for some far-off future event or set of circumstances is valuable but leaves us with little sense of urgency. Grammatically, “the future” is both five years and five minutes from now.
Thinking about the future as imminent keeps us on our toes mentally, and urges us to act now, not push the procrastination button.
In the article I mentioned above, I cited five areas leaders should be thinking about since they will each impact their ability to lead successfully. But those five things are impacting us today, not just “in the future.”
I’m going to be direct about each of these five shifts, and urge you to reflect on your current comfort, competence and confidence in each area, and then beg you to act today to improve in at least one of them.
AI
AI isn’t really new, and even LLM’s that most people associate with AI aren’t new anymore either. Even if you tone down the hyperbole (both positive and apocalyptic), you can’t ignore that AI has, is, and will change your business and your practice of leadership. If you aren’t acknowledging, adapting and applying that fact today, your leadership effectiveness and potential are already fading.
Distributed Work
Last week I wrote: Even if you work in an industry where people have to be onsite (warehousing, manufacturing, retail, etc.), this societal view of work still impacts you. This means that even if your team is fully onsite, the needs and expectations of work are changing. If you are expecting things to go back to 2019 someday, wake up. Today is the day to make sure you are becoming more comfortable and effective in meeting the needs of and leading your team members wherever they are working.
Culture
I know you have a work culture. But is it the one that serves your goals and your team effectively? Culture is no longer a squishy topic to spend some time talking about at the annual leadership retreat. The best leaders today are making decisions daily on how they lead in ways that support and direct the culture of their teams and organizations in positive ways.
Uncertainty
It’s time to stop bemoaning the uncertainty you face or waiting for it to subside. The world isn’t static and won’t be (ever). As a leader, you must acknowledge and even embrace uncertainty. When you do you build confidence in your team and create a competitive advantage compared to other organizations.
Flexibility
The world will continue to change. And while our values needn’t change, our approaches must. If you are leading the same way today you did five years ago, it is time to wake up - because your effectiveness has dropped (whether you realize it or not). And if you aren’t willing and able to effectively flex now, that downward effective trend will accelerate like a ball rolling down a hill.
Which shift will have the biggest impact for you as a leader (or the leaders in your organization)?
Each of these (and much more) will be explored during Virtual LeaderCon 2025, from Sept. 22-25. If you are serious about leading better today, you will find at least one session that will change your perspective, offer you new approaches, and build your confidence. Find at least one session and join us – at no cost to you.
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