Evolve: build trust to thrive
Evolution is “change over successive generations”. We generally think about the natural world when we think about evolution. Lately my thinking has explored how leaders evolve and thrive in new surroundings: just like we are having to do now.
Evolution in the way we work has been accelerated in 2020. Most of us have had to adapt our ways, just to survive. Some leaders are thriving.
Never before have EQ, listening and connection been more important as a part of our leadership.
When animals fail to evolve, they typically die out or live in isolation from change. Like the giant tortoises of the Galapagos: they haven’t had to adapt for centuries. But that doesn’t work for leaders. Leaders that choose not to adapt to their workforce will lose the trust of their teams and lack relevance. Even the most powerful and successul leaders can easily fade away if they don’t change.
A few years ago, I was working in a large business aiming for greater focus on customers. The leadership had changed and the culture was evolving to be more inclusive. One leader didn’t evolve with the emerging culture. He struggled. I heard some employees refer to him as a “dinosaur” because he was stuck in his command and control ways, where he consistently told employees what to do. Eventually, he went the way of the saber-toothed tiger and disappeared.
The good news is that we can all evolve
The fact is that the 2020 workforce doesn’t respond well to outdated styles of leadership, poor communication or demanded authority. Add to that the supersonic pace of change and recovery from a pandemic. We are in an evolutionary storm right now in which many leaders will be asking themselves how can I evolve and move forward in these conditions?
Focus on trust
Evolved leaders listen and connect. They focus on building trust and the results can be substantial. At first building trust with employees can be hard. Listening, for example, is one of the hardest skills to get comfortable with.
Insights from leaders I recently interviewed for my new book SWITCH
I recently asked Bronwyn Evans, CEO of Engineers Australia, what advice she would give leaders that need to evolve and listen more to improve:
“Give it a go. Sit with the discomfort of not talking for a while and just listen. This can be hard for those not used to doing it, but it is very rewarding. It’s uncomfortable at first. You don’t have to say yes to everything you hear. Acknowledge what you hear. Stop thinking you need to know all the answers. Try to remember that it’s ok just to have questions. Give it a go. The sun will come up tomorrow if it doesn’t go as planned”.
Building trust is a long game. It takes effort and focus. But the long term gains for leaders are significant and help them thrive during change and chaos. Recovery is easier when you have trusting relationships in the team.
John Banfield, the CEO of BPAY and I discussed the importance of authenticity and trust building. John explained that:
"Pandemic transition [at BPAY] has been easy because of our culture and set up. We have daily communications by the leadership team and all staff meetings regularly. We keep it real and upbeat but at the same time we are honest and human e.g. this morning I sent two people a happy birthday message. These things make a difference”.
As we migrate slowly back to work this year, I will be helping leaders rebuild, increase trust and improve connection. Book a call if you want to learn more or get some insights into how you can evolve.
Let me know how your remote leadership and communication is going in the comments below. I love hearing from you.