Leadership in the Time’s Up age

The world is changing fast. Our expectations regarding the behaviour of others is moving rapidly. In some cases, the speed of that change is more swift than the ability of people to adapt their own behaviours.

The change has been led by the capability of technologies to give everyone a voice.

That voice has seen world changing campaigns such as the Me Too movement, Time’s Up, and Black Lives Matter.

Social media is bringing more and more opinion changing commentary into our lives, including the challenges of refugee movements, climate change, LGBT issues and Hong Kong’s ‘‘people’s demonstration’’. Acceptance is the new norm. For all the right reasons, it is now OK to speak up. If you are a victim of someone else’s bad behaviour, you can speak out.

In fact, you now have permission to. And in a world driven by social media, you will get an audience too, and that is OK. We have all seen change before. History is no different to the current day. Change has always been driven by a combination of two things: technology and attitudes.

However, make no mistake, the rate of the current societal change, and its impact, is moving at a rate more rapid than anything we have seen in the past 70 years.

The impact of these changes does not stop with politicians, on the streets or in the courtrooms that may follow. The impacts of

I heard this week that ACC is talking about rapidly increasing numbers of claims for harassment in the workplace.

The employment court is bursting at the seams.

Mediation services are overrun.

The permission to speak up is translating into employment disputes at work, and bullying complaints in clubs and associations.

As leaders, we don’t have much choice. When you think about it, irrespective of the issue, it is usually best dealt with promptly, firmly and fairly.

Over the years I have seen plenty of these instances. And my advice is always the same.

When your organisation is confronted with such a complaint or accusation, move forward proactively and respond.

Make sure the issue is treated with an appropriate level of priority. Don’t risk leaving it to others.

If you don’t have time to attend to every step yourself, check in with those charged with doing so every day; or twice a day if necessary. Ensure that you do what you say you will do. And most importantly of all, ensure that people on all sides are treated fairly.

We have to deal with whatever comes our way. It just so happens that the job has recently become more difficult.

Bruce Cotterill is a company director and adviser to business leaders. He is the author of the book ‘‘The Best Leaders Don’t Shout’’.