Makayla O.

The pandemic has forced us to take a hard look at the modern workplace.

Options such as all-remote or hybrid are becoming part of work mainstream. Another idea is shrinking the workweek. Proponents argue that the reduced hours working model can address current work negatives and make employees more productive, happier and healthier.

The standard of performance is a leadership philosophy where the focus is on disciplined improvement as well as core values, principles and ideals.

This approach is not about control - it is about instilling excellence.

In the last 10 years, authenticity has been a huge buzzword in the business press. Professionals who are good at their core job, are more often than not struggling in roles they get after they are promoted, as the same skills that made them successful are not enough.

These transition positions require us to leave our established identity and move towards new skills, often at the cost of a complete personality overhaul. This identity crisis while shifting towards a new role feels inauthentic.

• Micromanagement has a bad reputation, and team members want to work autonomously, not being watched all the time and told what to do.
• Managers, however, cannot be held guilty in most cases, as team members doing complex work often need extensive help, and are now farther away in their homes, making it even more difficult to oversee.
• Extensive research has shown that ‘pervasive helping’ leads to better performance, as compared to leaving the employee alone.

Strategic developmental feedback requires careful thought and insightful construction, in order to help someone learn and improve. It should be:

• Big-picture focused
• Organizationally aligned: it should take into consideration the values of your organization
• Behavioral and specific (should be clear and based on real accomplishments)
• Factual, not interpretive
• Both positive and negative (both positive and negative feedback work and fuel for real change)
• Focused on patterns, not on specific events
• Linked to impact.