No matter whether one practices face-to-face work, telework, new concepts of workspaces, one thing always seems to be true: if the hierarchy does not understand its role and duties, no success will be possible.
The pandemic has forced companies to reinvent themselves in an unimaginable timeframe. This very short time to reorganise has shown the strengths and opportunities but also the shortcomings. Among these is the blatant lack of leadership by some leaders.
Having had the pleasure of managing numerous teams throughout Switzerland in particular, I have seen how important it is to know how to delegate, to trust while controlling and, above all, to keep the relationship intact whatever the circumstances.
Listening to the feedback from the companies, while most of the managers have played their role perfectly, there are others who have failed to do so. What is the reason for this? If the deep personality is decisive, training is often a shortcoming.
Today, companies want efficient and profitable people: this is going a bit too fast because training, at whatever level, is essential. The function is not innate for most of them, so the subtle art of driving, or better still, of supporting employees, must be taught. Let us not be naive, we do not live in a world of teddy bears, but being a leader is not something that can be improvised.
Let us remind ourselves of a few aspects: liking to drive, liking your staff, wanting to succeed, having a sense of teamwork, knowing how to develop trust and training are just a few of the fundamentals.
Believing that the work is done by introducing new workplace concepts is a big mistake. The most beautiful workspaces are nothing if they are not coupled with a modern, imaginative, collaborative management.
It is high time for many companies to ask themselves the right questions and to hire professionals to help them boost their structures and management.
We dare to believe that the pandemic will have awakened a few minds in companies, large and small, to take this issue seriously. This is one of the best investments we can make.
Take care of yourself, but above all your employees: everyone deserves it.