Leaders – fit for purpose? (ep 4)

The role of leaders has undergone a revolution since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. Leaders and managers have adapted to managing virtually, some have learned new skills, while others are waiting for a time when they can go back to the way things were. But their teams have had a taste of a different way of working and as so many are registering a willingness to leave their organisations if they can’t work how they want to, leaders really have to step up.

In this episode, we explore the challenges, the advancements that many have made and the skills that will help leaders to bring their whole selves to work and be “ruthlessly authentic” as one of our guests so eloquently put it. That authenticity breeds trust – one of the aspects of virtual team working that can be damaged when we don’t see each other very often.

Also, Sofia Fonseca de Nino, an AWA Senior Associate in Texas, shares what she’s seeing in the Gulf Coast region of the US as energy companies in Houston continue to transform both their approach to energy generation and the way they work. She also emphasises the importance of having connected, clear goals (organisational, team and personal) – particularly when working away from offices, as we aren’t surrounded by those visual cues.

Featured guests:

• Philippa Hale, Senior Associate in Change Management AWA (UK)

• Ainsley Wallace, President & CEO, University of Southern Maine Foundation (USA)
• David Smoragiewicz, MD, New England Market Leader, Willis Towers Watson (USA)
• Sofia Fonseca de Nino, Senior Associate, AWA (USA)