Business is always in a constant state of change; however, we have never seen the massive amount of upheavals as we did in 2020 and 2021, and we are still dealing with change and potentially new issues in 2022. Employees are stressed out and burned out, which means 2022 demands a more humane approach. This means a new leadership strategy may need to be considered by businesses. Specifically, leaders who can remain optimistic, build agility and adapt in times of disruption and deliver business strategies that will create workplaces for both people and organizations to flourish and succeed.

Colorado Springs is a challenging and entrepreneurial community. It has done some incredible things in the last few years, so what do we need to be aware of as we continue to innovate and improve our community? Here are some things your business should think about:

1. Hone your leadership skills
   Complete a quick check-in and assess your abilities around leadership. We have all been running at top speed for the last three years, and it’s time for a short assessment of where you are as a leader. Assessing personal skills and seeing how they have changed or what has changed in your environment is vital if you are to lead in a crisis and beyond. Take a quick leadership self-assessment and identify ways to improve skills, or maybe assess if you have learned new ones. Do the same with your leadership team, create an action plan for future growth and perhaps organize some team training opportunities.
2. Collect feedback from your team
   Leaders can’t lead without accurate information, and to drive the performance of a successful team, they need to ensure they are on the same page as their team. In these constantly changing times, it is essential that you check in regularly with your employees and see how the organization is shifting. Survey your staff on a monthly or quarterly basis; they will help find blind spots and point out incentives that they would like to see, and it will give you a great idea of how the morale is in your company. You can’t complete your goals if your team is not behind you. The workplace is changing rapidly; be sure to survey your team to get their feedback and suggestions on how to improve the business.
3. Invest in the leaders of tomorrow
   Leadership development has always been key to business; however, this is more important than ever. Younger employees want to learn and feel valued. The more you invest in them, the longer they will stay. In addition, with the massive change in the workforce, you may be training someone that can replace someone you didn’t expect to lose. According to Sounding Board, Inc.’s 2021 Leadership Coaching Report, global investment in leadership development is estimated to exceed $3.5 billion due to the global pandemic and the “Great Resignation.” Organizations are investing in leadership coaching for individuals to build the necessary skills for navigating an uncertain business landscape, and the resulting bench strength will help fill future critical job roles.
4. Build a healthy culture
   The recent mass exodus of talent has created a lot of issues for businesses. It is harder to find and keep talent than ever before. The “Great Resignation” and the “turnover tsunami” are just a few names given to tired employees, burned out, or just plain fed up. One thing to be aware of is that people are NOT as interested in perks and fringe benefits (like treadmill desks and on-site massages) as workplace culture. Employees want to work for a company that takes care of them. However, they also want to work for leaders that support them, that are innovative in how work gets done, and the day-to-day experiences of employees. They want to see leaders committed to staff wellbeing and company culture. According to recent Gallup research in 2021, polls indicate that cultures with effective work-life integration and growth opportunities are better positioned to retain talent. Leaders must also ensure a level playing field and equity for all employees alongside these benefits.
5. Mental health matters
   Everyone is tired. Employees and employers alike have been stretched thin, have pivoted and adapted numerous times, and many people end up burned out. Having vital mental health as a leader is essential, and many leaders are doing good things to take care of their employees but often neglect themselves. Make sure you are taking time to recharge, spend time with family and assess where your mental health is at and ask for help if you need it. Also, be sure to determine your team’s mental health, and if you do not offer EAP services, then this is something you should consider adding as a benefit. Be aware of many of the significant mental health services provided in Colorado Springs if you need to offer them to your staff.

Likewise, to survive, thrive, and profit, organizations must move from disruption to reinvention — must evolve to retain and grow their people to ensure a successful talent pipeline — and the most vital organizations will additionally thrive by giving more than they take from the world.