Successfully leading teams today is very different to leading a team even a decade ago.
Since COVID, the world of work has undergone a seismic shift. In the past, leadership was often defined by hierarchy, authority, and a "leave your feelings at the door" mentality. But today’s employees bring their whole selves to work—and they expect their leaders to meet them there.
Jane leads a team of 30 software programmers for a large insurance company. After months of slavishly working on a new sales tool to promote to car dealerships, the head of operations informs Jane that the company’s strategy has changed. The new direction means months of rework. Jane’s team feel deflated. Rather than celebrate a successful launch, they’re stuck with renegotiating contracts, dealing with the frustration from other internal departments and various technical challenges. Scepticism abounds with the new strategy. Jane urgently needs to restore trust and counteract the growing cynicism of her team.