By embracing positive ways of working, leaders can create the space, trust and flexibility to face any challenge that might lie ahead. Kevin Empey explains why
As the worst of the pandemic recedes, there is no doubt that future of work topics in play before 2020 have accelerated up the agenda. In 2023, we are all talking more about digitalisation, environment, social and governance (ESG), future skills and talent concerns.
Topping the list, however, is future work strategy and how it informs an organisation's short-to medium-term business plans and approach to people management. Good leaders are bringing their teams into new ways of working while promoting trust, flexibility and the bottom line.
Pick your strategy
While labels serve a purpose, it is time to transition from terms like 'hybrid', 'agile', 'blended' or 'smart' to just 'ways of working'.
Organisations are moving from the uncertain 'getting started' experiences of the past two years to the more confident and assured 'up and running' phase in 2023.
Now, every part of the organisation must look at how their way of working serves the wider business strategy and team performance. For example:
Executive teams
Buoyed by the experiences of the last few years, executive teams should reflect on their leadership habits, behaviours and ways of working, how they collectively and individually show up together and with their teams, and role model what high-performance teamwork looks like for others.
Management
Managers should empower their teams by providing purpose, clarity, energy and freedom to develop ways of working that deliver results, achieving the balance between flexibility and accountability.
Human resources
HR teams must adopt new ways of working to embrace their expanded mandate, co-creating solutions with their business colleagues and taking their rightful place as enablers of flexibility, talent, and people-led performance.
Employees
Individuals should be supported and provided with the skills they need to thrive and confidently navigate the future of work and the changing demands of modern working life.
Let go of old hang-ups
Given our experience over the last few years, it's clear that it is now time to move on from the debate surrounding hybrid working.
Flexible working in various forms is here to stay, informed by different influences on working styles, such as agile.
The societal need and demand for flexibility in how and where we work, and the capability to deliver it, was already a big issue in the world of work well before 2020. Now, it is time for organisations to embrace it.
Leaders should focus on their team's flexibility instead of clinging to outdated and rigid ways of working.
The next phase of work
By creating positive ways of working at a team and individual level, we not only achieve great results and a positive work experience but also provide the space, trust and flexibility to take on whatever challenges (and opportunities) might lie ahead.
Let's move on and positively shape the next phase in the world of work.
Kevin Empey is the Founder of WorkMatters
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