Natasha Wallace
The world of business is becoming more complex and competitive by the day. As a result, leaders are now required to have skills that were unheard of not too long ago. As we continue into 2023, it's more important than ever for business leaders to upskill and adapt to the changing landscape.
The workplace has permanently changed, presenting new challenges and hurdles for organisations and their leadership teams. To be successful in the current climate, leaders need to be adaptable, empathetic and decisive. They must be able to make quick decisions in a constantly changing environment while also motivating and supporting their team. Leaders are not born; they are made. Anyone has the potential to be a great leader, but it takes vision to inspire and the necessary skills. As we look ahead to 2023, several trends will shape how leaders must operate. If you're researching how to be a good leader in 2023, here's everything you need to know.
Conscious Leadership
It's no secret that being a good leader is tough. Not only do you have to be able to inspire and motivate those around you, but you also have to be able to make tough decisions when necessary. However, simply being a "good" leader is no longer enough. In today's ever-changing world, being a Conscious Leader is more important than ever.
So what exactly is Conscious Leadership? Put simply, it's the act of leading with intention and purpose. It's about being aware of your own personal goals and objectives and the impact your actions and decisions have on those around you. It's about being resilient in the face of adversity and always looking for ways to grow and improve. And perhaps most importantly, it's about being fully present in each moment and working together towards a common goal.
If you're looking to be a better leader, there's no time like the present to start practising the Five Pillars of Conscious Leadership. By doing so, you'll set yourself apart from the competition and help create a more positive and productive work environment for everyone involved.
Leading with Empathy
A good leader knows how to motivate and inspire their team to reach their full potential. They also know how to communicate effectively and make tough decisions. But what about empathy? As we head into 2023, empathy will become an increasingly important leadership quality.
Being a good leader is not just about giving orders. It's also about understanding how your team feels and seeing the world from their perspective. This ability to empathise with others is an essential leadership skill. When you understand how someone else is feeling, you can build strong relationships, foster trust and collaboration and inspire a more compassionate workplace.
Empathy is also important when dealing with difficult situations. For example, if someone on your team makes a mistake, an empathetic leader can see the situation from their perspective and find a way to help them learn from the experience instead of punishing them.
In short, empathy is a powerful tool that can help you in any leadership position. When employees feel valued and supported, they're more likely to be engaged and productive — they will have a greater commitment to the company and feel more confident when it comes to new ideas, a new solution or simply getting on with the job. So if you want to be a more effective leader in 2022, start by leading with empathy.
Better Feedback
Leaders are often tasked with the difficult job of giving feedback, whether to their employees or peers. And while it is essential to provide honest and constructive feedback, it can be difficult to know how to strike the right balance. After all, no one wants to be seen as a negative or critical person.
However, to be a better leader in 2022, whatever your current leadership style, it is essential to learn how to deliver better feedback. Here are a few tips:
- Make sure that your feedback is timely. If you wait too long to give feedback, it will lose its impact.
- Be clear and concise in your delivery. Avoid beating around the bush or sugar-coating your message.
- Concentrate on the behaviour, not the person. This helps the individual receiving the feedback to understand that you are critiquing their actions, not them as a person.
- Remember to follow up. Thank the person for their openness in receiving feedback, and let them know you are there to support them as they work on improving their skills.
- Feedback reciprocation. Feedback is a two-way street. As a leader you should expect and ask for just as much feedback as you might be giving.
Giving feedback can be challenging, but by following these tips, you will naturally develop a more effective leadership style in 2022. You will become the difference between a good leader and a great leader. It’s not easy to be an effective leader who can deliver messages that lead to positive change, but giving better feedback is one of the most important steps you can take.
Strength-based Development
Whether you're a new leader or an experienced one, there's always room for improvement. If you want to be an exceptional leader in 2023, focus on upskilling your team. By investing in your team's strength-based development, you'll not only make them happier and more engaged employees, but you'll also reap the benefits for your business. After all, your organisation will see a return on investment for every new skill an employee learns.
When it comes to upskilling your team with this transformational leadership approach, there are plenty of options to choose from. If you're not sure where to start, here are a few ideas:
Offer training on new software or tools
To be a successful leader, you must adapt to change and embrace new technologies. This ability to adapt is a leadership quality often overlooked, but it's more important than ever to offer training on new software or tools to your team. Not only will this make their jobs easier, but it will also help your business stay competitive.
By offering training, you're showing your team that you're invested in their success and willing to invest in the tools they need to be successful. In addition, by offering training on new technologies, you're helping to position yourself as a thought leader within your industry.
So if you're looking to take your leadership skills to the next level, start by offering training on new software or tools and encourage team members to take their knowledge up a level.
Provide mentorship opportunities
By providing mentorship opportunities, you allow your team members to learn from the experience and expertise of others in your organisation. They can learn new tech skills, new ways of working or even how to be better leaders themselves. As a result, your team will grow stronger.
Not only will you have a team of highly skilled and motivated individuals, but you'll also have team members better equipped to handle whatever changes come their way. So if you're serious about becoming one of your industry’s great leaders, start by offering internal mentorship opportunities. Your team will thank you for it.
Encourage them to attend industry events
No matter what industry you're in, staying up-to-date on the latest trends is important. Accepting the status quo can be fatal for an organisation. Attending industry events is an excellent way for your team to network and learn from other leaders in your field. They will gain valuable insights and have the opportunity to practise their leadership skills.
If you're looking for how to encourage your team members to attend industry events, here are a few tips:
- Remind them of the benefits: Staying up-to-date on the latest trends and networking with other leaders are just a few benefits they'll enjoy by attending industry events.
- Help them find the right event: There are likely dozens of events throughout the year. Help them narrow their options by finding one that matches their interests or strengths.
- Offer to cover expenses: If cost is a barrier, offer to cover the cost of admission or travel expenses. This will show them how invested you are in their professional development.
By following these tips, you encourage your team members to attend industry events and help them develop their leadership skills.
Allow experimentation
As a leader, it's important to give your team the space to experiment and make mistakes. This allows them to put their learning into action and find new ways to improve. One of the most effective ways to approach this is by using the 80/20 rule: team members spend 80% of their time doing more of what we know works and 20% of their time trying out new things to add to their (and our) repertoire.
This approach allows your team to find new efficiencies and optimal ways of working, without putting the whole operation at risk. So next time you're feeling like you need to micromanage an employee, remember that giving your team some leeway can actually be a good thing.
Invest in skill development
Plenty of online courses are available to help your team improve their skills. Our Consciously App is a prime example of the available tools and resources available to your team. And, since modules can be completed at their own pace, they're a convenient option for busy employees.
No matter your chosen method, ensure you're investing in your employees’ development. By doing so, you'll set them up for success in the new year and beyond.
Make learning a part of your organisational culture and encourage your team to continue learning new skills, and you'll be on your way to building great leadership qualities. Not only that, but you'll also set your business up for success in the long run.
A Culture of Wellness
A good leader in the workplace is someone who supports their staff and is committed to their wellbeing. This doesn't mean you need to provide perks and fringe benefits, but rather focus on creating a work/life balance. Today's employees are less interested in these things and more interested in a healthy work culture.
One way to develop a culture of wellness is by being a good role model. If you're always working late nights, your team members will feel like they have to do the same. Instead, set clear expectations and a healthy work/life balance for yourself and your team. By setting a real-world example, you’ll show your team that you're committed to their wellbeing and value their time outside of work.
Another way to develop a culture of wellness is by encouraging healthy habits in the workplace, which could be anything from starting a walking club to having healthy snacks available. By doing this, you're showing your team you care about their health and want them to be happy and healthy inside and outside of work.
Encouraging a culture of wellness in the workplace is important for retaining talent and keeping your employees happy. By developing a leadership style that covers wellbeing and encourages healthy habits, you can create a workplace that everyone will want to be a part of.
Diversity and Inclusion
To develop more effective leadership in 2023, you need to build an inclusive workplace. You can do this by ensuring everyone feels like they belong, are respected and have a voice in the workplace. One way to ensure that everyone feels included is to have a diversity and inclusion policy.
This diversity and inclusion policy should outline what kinds of behaviour and attitudes are not tolerated in the workplace. It should also set out how complaints will be dealt with. This should be reflected in the way that leaders act. As a leader you should demonstrate the right behaviours and make sure your team are doing the same.
Another way to build an inclusive workplace is to ensure every team member has the same opportunities for career and leadership development and advancement.
Great leaders create a level playing field when it comes to hiring, promotions and raises. If people feel like they can't advance because of their background or identity, they will not feel included in the workplace.
Finally, you need to promote an environment where people feel comfortable giving feedback. To achieve this, you need to establish trusting relationships with employees and be open to hearing about areas where you can improve.
We all deserve to work in an environment where our voices are heard and respected. By ensuring everyone's opinion counts, you're setting the tone for equity within your company by creating a culture of inclusion where people with diverse backgrounds have equal opportunities to succeed without restriction or judgement from others.
When every team member feels like they belong, they're more likely to be productive, creative and committed to their work. So how can you be a great leader who fosters inclusion? First, you need to understand what inclusion looks like in the workplace. Then, you need to be intentional about creating an inclusive environment.
Great leaders are advocates for inclusion — both within your organisation and in the larger world. When you make inclusion a priority, you make your workplace (and the world) a better place.
Level Hierarchies
To excel in a leadership role in 2023, it's important to develop more level hierarchical structures. In a traditional hierarchical structure, there is a clear chain of command, with each person having a specific role and reporting to a higher authority.
However, in a more level structure, people are more likely to be empowered to take on multiple roles and responsibilities - this allows them to do their best work. This can help to create a more collaborative environment where people feel like they can contribute their ideas and knowledge.
Furthermore, it can lead to better decision-making, as more people are empowered to be more involved in the process. So if you want to be a more successful business leader in 2023, start developing more level hierarchical structures.
Leading a Multigenerational Team
As the workforce continues to evolve, so must the leaders overseeing them. To be a better leader in 2023, it is essential to have a deep understanding of the challenges posed by leading a multigenerational workforce.
With three or more generations now working side by side, each with their own preferences, values and working styles, it is more important than ever to learn how to best communicate with and motivate each group.
By taking the time to understand the needs and wants of each generation, leaders can encourage their teams to work together more effectively, leading to a greater exchange of knowledge and experience that can only benefit your organisation.
With the right approach, any leader can overcome the challenges of leading a multigenerational workforce and emerge as an even stronger leader in the coming years.
Emotional Agility
To be a successful leader in 2023, you need to be emotionally agile. What does that mean? It means being able to regulate your emotions, respond effectively to stress and create positive relationships. It's more important than ever to be a good leader because of the challenges we're facing as a society.
We're dealing with more stress and anxiety than ever, and burnout is becoming more common. The best leaders are those who empathise with their team members and help them avoid burnout. If you want to be a better leader, start by working on your emotional agility.
Become aware of your triggers and how to deal with them effectively. Learn how to have difficult conversations without resorting to anger or defensiveness. And finally, practise self-care to be the best leader possible.
The Importance of Authenticity
Leaders who create space for thoughtful, honest conversations about real issues impacting their team will thrive this year and into the future. To create this space, leaders need to be authentic with their team members. Employees are more productive when they trust their leaders and feel like they can have honest conversations with them.
Additionally, strong relationships between coworkers are essential for a positive work environment. By being authentic with their team members, leaders create strong relationships and lay the foundation for a successful future.
Learn How to Say Goodbye
Better, more effective leaders know how to say goodbye. Long gone are the days when employees would stay with the same company for 20+ years! It’s common to find that professional advice is to stay with the same company for over five years can harm your career. High staff turnover can be costly in terms of the time and money it takes to onboard new employees and the loss of institutional knowledge. However, exit meetings provide an opportunity to turn a departing employee into a brand advocate and to leave the door open for a return in the future.
By keeping exit meetings positive and focused on the future, you ensure your departing employees have a good experience and that your company is seen in a positive light. You may also find that you learn something about yourself and how to be a better leader.
A positive exit meeting can turn a departing employee into someone who speaks positively to others about your business. Here are some tips for how to make exit meetings positive:
- Thank the employee for their contributions to the company
- Highlight what they will be missed for
- Brain pick them for feedback on their experience with the organisation
- Focus on the future, not the past
- Keep it positive and professional
- Leave the door open for a return in the future.
Saying goodbye doesn't have to be difficult or painful. By following these tips, you make exit meetings positive experiences that benefit you and your employees. So, next time someone on your team gives notice, remember to take the opportunity to say goodbye in a way that benefits both your company and your career.
Learning How to Become a Better Leader
If you want to be a better leader in 2022, these are some of the skills and attitudes you need to focus on. By developing these, you will be well-positioned to succeed as a great leader in the years ahead. Good leadership is essential to the success of any organisation, yet it is often difficult to define what makes a good leader.
According to Jim Rohn, the challenge of leadership is to "be strong, but not rude; be kind, but not weak; be bold, but not bully; be thoughtful, but not lazy; be humble, but not timid; be proud, but not arrogant; have humour without folly."
In other words, a good leader must strike a balance between opposing qualities.
There are many ways to become a great leader. One way is to study the qualities that make good leaders and strive to develop them within yourself. Another way is to observe how successful leaders interact with others and model your own behaviour after theirs.
Regardless of how you choose to improve your leadership skills, remember that it takes time and practice to master the art of leadership. With perseverance and dedication, you can become the leader you always wanted to be.
Do You Want to Become a Better Leader?
Our Conscious Leader psychometric is validated by University College London (UCL) and gives you a real-time view of your performance as a leader. You get actionable feedback on the key areas of leadership: burnout, wellbeing, performance, engagement and productivity.
And our Consciously app is a digital learning and wellbeing platform that helps you build healthy habits to work more sustainably. Imagine having a leadership coach in your pocket! If you’re looking to improve and develop your leadership skills while safeguarding your wellbeing, we’ve got the tools to help you.
