Leadership lessons from 2020
Remember, the strength of light is shown when it is dark. The true strength of a leader is tested when there is a storm. Yes, there is change and Socrates said: “The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new.”
E-leadership
Most of the activities were happening online. To some leaders, Zoom was a new thing. The leader must learn tools to use online so as to lead effectively. We no longer need to meet people in person for things to move, we have to use the IT gadgets.
The leader also takes the role of a coach and coaching employees becomes crucial as you enable the team and individual effectiveness using those online platforms.
Being human
Using the internet does not mean we have lost our humanness. We also need to observe online etiquette and as we would do if we meet people face to face.
This includes things such as empathy, care, emotional intelligence, respect, being considerate of others’ feelings and things like that. Relations are important, build teams, and learn to co-create.
Think like a start-up
The year 2020 showed us that what we have built over years can be crashed in a short space of time by natural disaster. That calls for a leader who is creative, innovative, and disruptive.
Big companies just like elephants, take time to turn and accept reality, but a leader has to think fast and be malleable to change.
Start-ups have a mindset of inventing and working from down to the top. Abandon your bureaucratic mindset, and set your eyes on the new bounce of the ball.
Things have changed
We are never going back to what we were used to be before COVID-19. Life has changed and has changed for good. Health and safety is one thing that matters to the people you lead.
First, people must be safe in the mind. Secondly, their body must be kept away from the disease, especially COVID-19.
Cherish the “WHY” of life
COVID-19 has taught us that we need to live beyond money, things, and riches.
Living outside our “Why” might just be a means to fulfil our ego, but there is more to life. Don’t live for people, live your true self, and enjoy doing the real thing that you are wired to do as a leader.
Live in the moment and do your best now as though tomorrow will never come. 2020 has taught us that managing and controlling systems is never enough, but we must create new systems.
Parting Point: The future is still uncertain yet so bright with possibilities to those that are thinking outside the box. Next year we will still have some of the problems we faced this year and that needs a leader who has a strategic mindset. Slide into 2021 in faith!