COVER ARTICLE
5 Traits To Consider
When Assessing Leaders
Approaching leadership development
in a post-pandemic world
By Julie Salmone
For many leaders, the pandemic has been a trial
by fire. New challenges have put the strengths
and weaknesses of their leadership style under the
spotlight. It’s no secret that the working world has
changed drastically in the last year and a half. The
pandemic has forced leaders and employees to adapt
to new ways of working, often stepping outside of
their comfort zone.
For better or worse, a lot of the changes are here
to stay. What started for many as two weeks out
of the office turned into a completely virtual work
environment. Now, with offices reopening, leaders
at all levels will need to adapt to a new hybrid
workplace model.
To thrive in the future, leaders need to face new
challenges head-on. To do that, they will need
support. As businesses recover, leadership
development needs to be prioritized. Leadership
assessments are one of the most valuable tools in
the development toolbox. Companies will need to
rethink what they are assessing and explore new
ways to build up their leaders for success. Here
are five traits you should consider when assessing
leaders in the post-pandemic world.
Focus on Empathy
Empathetic leadership is more important than
ever. Leaders who are focused on supporting and
empathizing with their employees can form better
connections and understand the needs of their team.
This means they are more likely to have engaged
teams, making it easier to retain talent.
The pandemic had a huge impact on workplaces
around the globe. We are now seeing a turnover
tsunami. Part of the reason for this is employee
burnout. Uncertainty, transitioning to new ways of
working, and changing expectations all factor into
burnout. Proactive, empathetic leadership can make
all the difference in ensuring that employees want to
stay with your company. When assessing leadership,
measure emotional intelligence. Look at their ability
to listen actively, understand employee needs and
engage in an empathetic way.
Leadership Excellence presented by HR.com JULY 2021 7 Submit Your Articles
/7hcy
/?sh=4dbeb0e44e6d
/?sh=4dbeb0e44e6d