Shared Leadership and WFH

Although shared leadership might not be something that most executives aspire to, it may now be part of the new work landscape hastened by the global pandemic. With the omicron COVID variant on the rise and experts warning of a post-holiday surge in cases, the idea of returning to an office full time is looking less and less likely in the near future. Not to mention that most employees do not want to return to an office full time (76% wish to stay remote, according to a new study).

So, with most leaders coming to terms with this reality over the past year, they are now looking to maximize remote efficacy. New research (penned by the same author) shows “when collaborators are separated by geography, typical approaches to leadership are not as effective. Instead, “shared leadership,” which involves dividing up leader responsibilities across multiple people, was more helpful the more teams work virtually across locations.”

Check out the full article from Chief Executive Magazine and read the recommended strategies for transitioning to a shared work team, and sharing responsibility in our newer, even more virtual world.

Lessons in Vulnerability

Brene Brown rocketed to business stardom with her TED Talk on vulnerability; specifically, that leadership without the ability and willingness to be authentic and candid about one’s self is rarely seen as leadership.  But, like everything else, there’s a right and wrong way for a leader to display vulnerability.

If you want to be effectively and authentically vulnerable as a leader, check out this conversation between Dr. Brown and Wharton Business School’s Adam Grant in which she offers an important nuance on leadership and vulnerability that may help you avoid crossing the line between “authenticity and self-absorption”.

With the simplicity and clarity that has made her TED Talk and books so popular, she shows us “How to be vulnerable at work without spilling everything, from Brine Brown.  Her six word formula for doing so is profound. If you’re like most people and need more Brene-inspired leadership knowledge, check out her podcast that debuted last fall, Dare to Lead.

Morale: How Leaders Can Tackle Their Biggest Challenge

Covid Fatigue has officially set in. Nearly one year after the first shelter-in-place orders came down, we are still dealing with social distancing, Zoom headaches, masks, and distance learning. And that’s if we are fortunate enough to have avoided contact with the virus, lost jobs, or at worst, lost loved ones to the pandemic. Add to this Texas ice storms, power outages, and the return of toilet paper hoarding, and you’ve got yourself the perfect recipe for a sharp decline in employee morale.

Those in leadership roles are faced with keeping up not only their own morale, but that of their respective teams as well. The results of a Vistage CEO Confidence Survey for the 4th quarter of 2020 showed that morale was a major concern for C-suite executives. To shed some insight on these challenges and how best to overcome them, Vistage has assembled a renown group of experts: Dr. Eve Meceda, Valerie Alexander, and David Friedman.

Check out the recent Vistage blog post on how leaders can address a historic decline in employee morale. Afterwards, check out the video on Managing Morale for Yourself and Your Team to cover all your bases.