Episode #522: Post-Covid Leadership Challenges

 
The effects of COVID and the move to remote work have exposed organisational leadership weaknesses, as we have seen in our contacts with customers. While mid-level leaders' deficiencies were concealed by in-office operations, the shift to remote work revealed serious breakdowns in strategy alignment, job execution, and communication. With its early uncertainties and subsequent adjustments, the changing COVID scenario brought attention to the necessity of strong leadership. Communication problems emerge as the pandemic scenario changes and more Japanese businesses embrace a hybrid business model. A fear of missing out results from the emergence of a two-tiered workforce that separates employees who are physically present in the office from those who work remotely. The boss's task becomes coordinating work and communication, requiring new tools like regular all-hands meetings and reliance on email and applications for information dissemination.

Traditional tools like morning team meetings become complex in the midst of these changes, necessitating careful thought to avoid the traps of a hybrid approach. Because people absorb information at different rates, it becomes important to balance written and spoken communication. The author also stresses the significance of reestablishing teamwork, recognising that returning to work does not always result in the dynamics that existed before the pandemic. Moreover, close monitoring and assistance are required for those who might have experienced isolation as a result of the long-distance work time.