As we enter the final seven weeks of 2020, we’ve been giving a great deal of thought to what 2021 will look like.
After spending so much time apart, we see 2021 as a year of ‘reconnection’.
Reconnection, because whilst 2020 confined many of us to home-based working, 2021 will kick off with colleagues returning to offices, and business districts feeling busy again. We’ll see our people connecting with each other, as well as reaching out to clients and stakeholders.
After a disconnected year, the reconnection will be very welcome.
But what will the reconnection look like? We think there are three trends which will shape the working landscape for the first six months of 2021. They’re trends which will shape the pace and style of our reconnection, and trends you’ll need to be ready for.
1. Hybrid working
Sure, we’ve all been working remotely in 2020 – temporarily. But hybrid working is slightly different, and it’s the emerging practice that will become a permanent feature of our new working lives.
Whilst many staff will continue working from home for at least part of their week, we will see many others return to the office. In some organisations, different members of the same team will split their days between home and headquarters. For health reasons, there may be cycles and rotations of staffing groups onsite.
This means leaders will need to develop skills in managing and coaching dispersed teams, in situations where their staff are not always together.
Team members will have to adapt to a blend of in-person and offsite interactions.
Hybrid meetings will become the default, bringing together staff working in offices with staff working remotely – some on screen, and some in the same room.
We will need to be conscious to run meetings, plan work and make decisions in a way that does not leave people working from home feeling disconnected from those based in the office. An ability to seamlessly manage in-person and online interactions will be a critical new skill.
2. Experimentation with change
The second trend will require leaders to harness the ability of their teams to remain agile in the face of continuing tweaks, evolutions and improvements to the way they work.
We’ve all faced times of constant change in our professional lives before. The difference in 2021 is that we don’t expect slow or gradual change, but rather frequent bursts of unexpected developments. Harder to plan for, this type of sudden change requires leaders to have the dexterity and courage to experiment.
An obvious example has been the recent need to speed up the organisational adoption of automated tools and digital platforms, in all areas of work from supply chain management, to customer engagement, and staff collaboration. For technology implementers, converting change-resistant workplaces to more modern tech platforms was less of a struggle in 2020, as necessity forced people to adapt and upskill. We can expect more of that forced adaptation in the first half of the new year.
Leaders will need the ability to respond to these changes quickly, understanding how to confidently roll out mini waves of change whilst keep their teams focussed and productive. Skills for quick brainstorming, creative problem solving, and a willingness to ‘fail fast, fail cheap’ will be crucial to thriving in an unpredictable year.
Beyond experimentation, an ability to manage change and the anxiety it can bring will be a handy tool in the leadership skill set. As teams experience waves of change fatigue, being able to place change in context and motivate staff will be the key to keeping morale buoyant and teams productive.
3. Design for resilience
The third trend we expect in 2021 is the prioritisation of resilience over efficiency. In the face of continuing risk and uncertainty, organisations will need to ensure that stellar service for their customers continues no matter what.
Even if the virus re-emerges with a third wave – which history tells us is likely – organisations will need an ability to avoid damaging shutdowns of their operations for as long as possible. Navigating the possibility of changes in government restrictions means placing a priority on continuity planning and the management of risk.
Leaders will need to ensure the mission of their organisation and the wellbeing of the people are prioritised in the face of external shocks. The push for strong, robust processes and an ability to always carry on will be paramount for the teams that they lead.
What does that look like? It may mean an even greater reliance on the use of contractors and freelancers to provide the surge capacity organisations need when flexing to meet customer demand. It might mean reviewing back-up plans more frequently and holding regular crisis scenario planning drills. Or, it might mean diversifying supply chains and fulfilment providers to avoid temporary bottlenecks.
Navigating the trends – build your skills now
To help leaders navigate these trends, we’ve developed a series of short, sharp masterclasses that are available to ensure you are prepared for the critical new skills you'll need in 2021. There’s six masterclasses on offer:
1. Managing Remote Teams
Learn how to coordinate, coach and communicate with remote teams to drive high performance
2. Presenting Confidently Online
Polish your speaking skills and build better slide decks in order to engage an online audience
3. Running Hybrid Meetings
Unpack the art of running productive meetings when you have some participants dialling in remotely
4. Managing Change
Pick up useful skills for avoiding personal burnout and minimise the stress of change for your staff
5. Creative Problem-Solving
Explore techniques to stimulate creativity, experimentation and innovation when facing challenges
6. Building Resilience
Understand how to encourage adaptability, resilience and continuity in your team
As we emerge from the pandemic, new ways of working will unfold in the first half of 2021. Driven by hybrid working, experimentation, and a focus on resilience, they will demand new skills of leaders.
Reach out to us if you would like the suite of masterclasses delivered to your team. We’ll be glad to help you get ready for 2021.
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