Goodbye 2021 - Lead Right in 2022

The Great Awakening / Resignation was a result of global lockdowns and remote work. To understand more, we must ask ourselves these questions:

Why does the '9 to 5' exist?

• In the USA, during the age of agriculture as a dominating industry, and the Industrial Revolution surrounding WWII, it was a way to maximize our production for purposes of supporting armed forces. Later, other countries adopted the '9 to5' to maintain their competitive edge with the USA.
• During that time, automation was but a dream. So, companies required more and more manual labor to keep up with Market Demands.

Today, automation is at the finger tips of everyone everywhere. From scheduling, to marketing, there are apps for everything you can imagine.

Some of the worlds largest manufacturers have less than 3-10 employees running their most productive factories around the world, the majority of the operation is automated by Robotic Installments.

The saying, "work smarter, not harder" has gained a whole new meaning with the Tech available today.

So, why are we still clocking in and out from '9 to 5?'

(COVID proved to employees everywhere, remote work is possible, online degrees are credible, and you do not have to work until midnight to get tremendous results).

Adapt, or shut down!

Although we can discuss a thousand points as to why running businesses and teams as they have been done traditionally, simply cannot work anymore. (The sooner we admit this, the sooner your business will thrive in the new world order).

Before we start discussing teams, lets define what makes a leader by today's demands, standards and expectations:

1. Self-Aware, and critically honest with themselves (also, must be willing to accept critique constructively, and openly).
2. Empathetic approach toward their teams personal lives, duties and responsibilities.
3. A leader who is inspirational, and steadfast in their own professional and personal values.
4. Emotionally stable, and aware of their own energy level.
5. Understands the difference between being a top performer in a team, versus being a Leader.

Managing Teams, the 'How To' for modern times!

• Acquiring talent, but first, how to identify what you need

Understand your companies vision, and where they want to go. Next, identify your existing teams skills, and study what is missing to reach your collective corporate vision.

Next step is to create a job description that explains the Day to Day, skill requirements to fill the skill gaps in your department, and what you expect of them.

If your skill gaps are too large, do not assume that you can fill them all with a single hire. Sometimes, you may need to segment the missing skills in to two roles, and understand how these new people will fit in to your operations.

• Transparency, Empathy, and Passion

If you want your team to be honest with you, you need to be honest with them first (transparency).

If you want your team to admit to mistakes, be empathetic, and approach mistakes as opportunities for L&D for your subordinates. Never steal credit for your teams achievements; as a leader, your role is not to get things done. Instead, it is to push your team to grow and achieve (Empathy).

If you want your team to be passionate about their work, you must show the passion behind every action you take. Also, celebrate with them as they were the engine that allowed you to achieve your action (Passion).

Happy New Year!

Cheers to brighter leadership in 2022.

Kind regards,

Laith R. Khoury (Leo), ECRE

Leadership & Talent Management Consultant