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Executives have encompassed a new norm this past year. They learned how to manage a hybrid team, with perhaps some at headquarters, and the rest of staff and followers working remotely.
This new era of technology and workspaces has increased the communication between leaders and followers.
Leaving out this important milestone — weeding out some, and focusing on only a few — is limiting the power of leadership. Leaders must be mindful of in-group versus out-group silos and address the group as a whole to meet the needs and objectives of everyone. Leaders are more caring and concerned about followers than ever before, and this is a very positive shift in the mindset of pandemic recovery.
There is no new normal, there is a new future
Developing the electronic leadership skills by learning how to lead electronically (by using Harvard Business Review articles), including trainings with leading vendors, and most importantly, in-house expertise — needs to be showcased.
The differences encountered are:
- People want to be heard at some point in an electronic meeting
- Some people do not feel comfortable showing up on electronic meetings
- People need to be recognized for housing their own electronic database at home
- People are feeling as if their jobs may be on the chopping block
- Leaders need to assure people how they are doing financially so that people feel secure
- Safety is not something to take lightly
- Some people are fearless while others are still apprehensive about COVID-19
- Keep the vaccine conversation personal and not open to everyone to avoid conflict
- COVID-19 is not over until it is over, and there is no new normal, there is a new future
All leaders need to learn electronic leadership. Electronic leadership encompasses many facets. Skills to enhance an electronic leadership environment include:
- Be at the forefront of the use of new technology
- Setting strategic direction and a purposeful vision and mission
- Working collaboratively to retain and motivate talented employees
- Help the company maintain and develop competitive advantage
- Meet all stakeholder’s needs
- Just the right electronic communication is necessary
- Giving people a voice in meetings is important in this new future
It’s also important to remember, there is a psychological shift for some people because of the pandemic. This shift may mean that they may not want to travel as much, miss out on leisure, and not attend events with large amounts of people. On the other hand, there are communities more assisted in resistance toward COVID-19, such as lifted mask mandates, or where less talk about this past year are welcomed.
Leaders are more caring and concerned about followers than ever before, and this is a very positive shift.
Sentiment is key, and managers at all levels need to be aware of how they communicate to followers, keeping in mind the big-picture at all times. Opinions need to be kept to a minimum about vaccines, masks, apprehension, and people’s viewpoint upon less-apprehension toward COVID-19. We are in a very sensitive time today, and we all know how losses influenced all of us. We must come together in solidarity to embrace the post-pandemic recovery in positive ways.
Mostafa Sayyadi works with senior business leaders to effectively develop innovation in companies, and helps companies—from start-ups to the Fortune 100—succeed by improving the effectiveness of their leaders. He is a business book author and a long-time contributor to business publications and his work has been featured in top-flight business publications.
Michael J. Provitera is an associate professor, and an author of the book titled “Mastering Self-Motivation” published by BusinessExpertPress. He is quoted frequently in the national media.