Management in 2021: What Does It Look Like?
Published April 20th, 2021The landscape of how we work has changed dramatically over the past 12 months.
The changes we’ve gone through have also altered management roles. Management in 2021 looks quite different to management in say, 2019.
How is it different? What has stayed the same? How can you be an effective manager during uncertain times?
Let’s take a look…
- How is management different in 2021?
- What has stayed the same?
- How can you be an effective manager during uncertain times?
- Learn How to Bridge the Gaps
How is management different in 2021?
There are two main reasons management roles have changed dramatically over the past year:
Most organisations have experienced a radical shift in how they work.
Almost everything shifted in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Some businesses saw a giant leap in demand, while most businesses had to handle a significant dip in activity and profits. Almost all organisations have had to adapt their processes and day-to-day work.
Managers have faced the challenge of supporting and leading their teams through a time of huge change and uncertainty.
A large percentage of teams are now working remotely.
Right now, and for the past 12 – 14 months, any business that can function with its team members working from home is doing just that.
Furthermore, this forced change has brought about a shift in mindset and culture in favour of working remotely. Remote working teams will certainly be a large part of “the new normal”.
This switch asks that managers learn how to keep teams connected and motivated while working remotely.
What has stayed the same?
Amidst all these developments, some things haven’t altered. In fact, the following skill areas have only grown in importance.
The Need for Communication
Communication is at the top of the list because it’s always crucial to how a team performs, keeping morale high, and the smooth running of a business.
The Need to be Adaptable
Covid-19 only underlined the fact that in the past two decades, the way we work has become more flexible.
Things change faster these days – even before 2020 rocked us all – and teams have had to learn to roll with the changes in past years.
The more adaptable we are, the more opportunities we have to grow and make the most of every situation.
The Need for Strong Organisational Skills
Time management, goal-setting, and delegation have always been key tools for managers at all levels.
Now, with remote working and ever-shifting processes, managers need to stay well-organised to keep everything moving in the right direction.
How can you be an effective manager during uncertain times?
Awareness
Being aware of what has changed and how it affects your team is the first crucial step.
Take some time to reflect on the past year and how things are going right now. Talk to your team about their experience and ask how they are finding the new work situation.
Strengthen What You Have
Draw on your existing skills and experience. Is there any way you can reinforce existing practices to make them more supportive?
For example, if you have 1-to-1 sessions with each team member every quarter, could you temporarily increase that to a monthly session? This would give everyone an opportunity to voice concerns or raise challenges.
Learn How to Bridge the Gaps
Now is a great time to take stock of where you can improve and how you can bridge the gaps in your knowledge.
With all of the new demands, managers need additional support too.
We have found that those attending our management courses in the past year have gained great support and reassurance through sharing experiences, ideas, and solutions during training.
Our online live virtual training platform makes discussion and trainer feedback easy.
Here are the courses that have been supporting managers most this year:
QQI People Management
Online (Live Virtual Class) - 3 Days – Practical Skills & Certification
This course is a fantastic way to deepen your knowledge and expand your management toolkit.
It covers key management skills, such as:
- coaching your team
- organisational skills
- communication & handling difficult conversations
- stakeholder engagement
- motivation and team building
Resilience in the Workplace
Online (Live Virtual Class) - 1 Day – Practical Skills
This workshop enables you to respond well during crisis or times of change. It provides you with the tools to manage your own stress levels and wellbeing throughout difficult times.
Risk Management
Online (Live Virtual Class) - 1 Day – Practical Skills
As we begin to navigate this “new normal”, risk management has become a more valuable asset than ever.
When you know how to identify, assess, and plan for potential risks and roadblocks, you can move forward in your business with more confidence.
