What do we think leaders will have to focus on in 2025? Navigating change and innovation.
Our Padraig executive coaches help leaders manage change and lead through all sorts of changes.
- Corporate restructuring.
- Shifts in the marketplace.
- Launching a new service or product.
- Trying to stay ahead of a competitor.
- Rolling out new technology.
- Shifting company culture.
How well leaders handle navigating change really matters. We recently explored how effective change management is a vital part of talent management. (Spoiler: Folks leave when change isn’t handled well.)
So, as we look ahead to the New Year, we predict that the essential playbook for leaders in 2025 will include topics related to navigating change and innovation.
Here are some of the themes we’re going to delve into more deeply in the months ahead to help leaders.
Redefining Leadership in a Digital Era
As things change in the workplace, leaders need to broaden their perspectives and adjust their leadership. We’re experiencing a variety of ways that digital transformation affects not only the workforce but also leadership roles and decision-making. It’s possible to use new technology to drive collaboration, inclusion and innovation, but what happens when the way we work changes? How do advanced technologies benefit business goals and employee purpose? What leadership styles and attributes are valuable in the digital age?
Building a Future-Ready Workforce
A term we hear a lot is agility. Today’s future-ready leaders have to be agile, ready to handle the unexpected. Leaders at all levels need opportunities and purposeful experiences to prepare them to handle radical change well. What kinds of strategies are required for reskilling, upskilling and preparing teams? What are some of the shifts your organization could anticipate? Is your succession planning supporting future-ready leaders from the frontline to the C-suite?
Resilience in Times of Change
We know that organizations are navigating change across all industries and folks handle change in different ways. Deloitte has studied the differences Gen Z bring to the workplace and Fortune magazine recently wrote about how to manage the “anxious generation”. How do leaders build resilience and support a growth mindset with all generations of workers? What resilience training strategies are most effective? How can leaders maintain a positive culture during times of transition?
AI, Automation and Human-Centred Leadership
Artificial intelligence (AI) is being touted as the way of the future, promising efficiency as it streamlines operations and makes some functions much more affordable — and more accurate. Simultaneously, we know that personal connections build strong teams and are the key to customer loyalty. Leaders share that they’re worried ignoring AI could leave them behind, but adopting it is also scary. Is AI a threat to leadership? How can leaders balance between tech integration and maintaining human connections in leadership? Can AI be used to enhance what people do without replacing humans?
The New Paradigms of Employee Well-being
When we’re talking about navigating change and innovation, it’s important to consider the ways leaders can recognize signs of overwhelm and better support the folks who work for them. What are the latest well-being trends? Are there flexible work policies and mental health supports offered elsewhere that could be adapted in your organization? What other strategies could be considered?
Transformative Thinking: Shifting from Reactive to Proactive Leadership
Successful sports teams are strong on offense as well as defense. Some leaders are so busy they end up reacting to changes and challenges, but a proactive approach is vital when navigating rapid changes. How do reactive and proactive approaches differ? How can leaders anticipate and prepare for challenges? What will help prepare team members?
Leading Through Uncertainty: Adapting Your Strategy in Real-Time
The new competitive advantage is being able to adapt quickly, even when things are rapidly changing. How can you accelerate your decision-making? There are ways to make decisions with agility, based on new data or events. How quickly have you had to pivot or adapt in the past? What would help you make better decisions more quickly?
The new year brings new possibilities and opportunities for navigating change and innovation.
In case you missed it, our Padraig team shared their top recommendations of resources for leadership in the new year. We also announced that Padraig has launched MyLeadershipTools, an online hub with a library of self-paced online leadership learning (available single-purchase or for bulk-purchase).
Coach’s Questions
How do you anticipate having to navigate change and innovation in the year ahead? What can you do to support your team and your own leadership skills? What would you like to add to your leadership toolkit?