Do you have the leadership chops for 2021?

A message from Tess Kastning.

We all see the tremendous, obvious changes happening in corporate culture here in America and around the world. But as leaders, we need to prepare for what we don’t see.

Vision has never been so important—for you and for your team.

In today’s remote workplace, video calls have replaced in-person, face-to-face interactions and “managing by walking around” simply isn’t possible. Unlike in-person team meetings, video calls tend to strip away the social cues that we rely on for context, and we are not always able to really “see” what’s going on on the other side of the screen. So much of my success as a leader has been a direct result of being able to physically insert myself into the pack. Now I must draw from other resources to preserve my company’s culture as well as my personal connection with precious employees and clients.

Strong leadership skills are needed for the greater good of the company.

As I reflect on my decades of leadership, I find that while softening one’s approach to employees is favored, never softening on results is your lifeline to continued success. High marks in emotional intelligence are very important, but it takes courage, creativity, and grit to be an effective leader through challenge and change. For those of you that know me, you know the great importance I place on empathy and respect for employees. But I also know that without the stomach for tough decisions and the willingness to pivot as needed, all the empathy in the world is not going to save me or my company.

Now more than ever, we are being asked to step up and lead.

My challenge to you is to ask yourself, “What are the leadership skills I need to develop to prepare for 2021?”