In times of change, new strategies must be created. What makes us change or what moves us to make significant changes? As a rule, changes frighten us when they are imposed on us, but they propel us when they are our own choices. It is not ideal that changes occur due to urgency, opposition, or mood, but rather by principles, personal mission, or conscience. But, regardless of its origin, changes move us forward. Move on to the new, the unknown, the much-desired.
When analyzing scenarios and trends today, many companies have thought about changes in strategy. The term strategy derives etymologically from the Greek word strategos, which is understood as “the art of the general”. The general is the commander, the leader, the one who needs to anticipate circumstances and make decisions. Therefore, the strategy can be understood as the art of forecasting scenarios and trends and promoting actions based on them that, when dealing with the corporate world, encourage the sale of a product and/or service and that win and captivate customers.
Among some of the problems that the health crisis has brought to countless companies, we have a lack of cash. Cash is increased with an increase in customers (because they are the ones who bring us resources); it is promoted through new ideas: the implementation of new products/services, the revision of processes that are automated or digitized can bring optimization or cost reduction; the implementation of strategic partnerships that increase the company’s results; and finally, the combination of all the points above, entrepreneurship.
Amid so much to do, so many points to look at, and many directions to follow, technology has been our main ally. Thanks to technology, companies access numerous information quickly and accurately, such as through Big Data.
After 6 months of the pandemic, most companies have found that the hybrid model tends to remain for a long time. It will not be only due to the uncertainties regarding the security of the return to the office, but mainly due to the benefits recognized by the work performed remotely. Among some advantages we can mention:
- the optimization of time;
- increased productivity in engaged teams;
- cost reduction;
- enabling new revenues, among others.
Within this concept, a new leadership style emerges!
There are those who say that these are not “home office” times, but “corona office”. People are working from home, but not necessarily in ideal conditions of infrastructure and support. A new leader is born. He needs to focus on results by being flexible; it needs to approach being more distant; need to engage showing the importance of the team’s work to the whole, each one being in his home, and that needs to strengthen the systemic view at a time when we need to be experts.
For this new leader to achieve satisfactory goals, it will be necessary to promote the relationship through dialogue and active listening; it should encourage the exchange of experiences through daily meetings, prioritize tasks and deliveries of greater relevance via objective and clear requests and encourage self-management.
The leader needs to know his team, manage the stress caused by the circumstances, and stimulate a pleasant virtual environment.
Another challenging element is time. Greater discipline is needed to avoid overwork. It is important to try to schedule meetings during business hours and, whenever possible, respect lunch hours.
I believe in the countless advances that the hybrid model has been bringing and will bring. That is why it is time for leaders to forget the command and control of the steps and focus on relationships of trust that bring extraordinary results – both for those at home and for those in the office.
The role of the leader will always be to inspire and positively impact the people he leads. And for that, it will often be necessary to give up a personal goal in favor of a collective goal.
The watchwords in management are flexibility and empathy, being the most practical form of empathy, compassion.
Finally, the leader needs to deliver, being the biggest donor!
Cristiana Aguiar’s article was published on the website E-commerce Brasil on 06/10/2020.
