Each year Deloitte publish a report into the global trends in the area of leadership and human capital. Their most recent report has just been released, called Global Human Capital 2015: Leading in the new world of work (Access it here). In compiling the report, Deloitte consulted with 3300 business and HR leaders in 106 countries (including Australia and NZ).
The report identifies ten major trends, within four major themes. The top five major trends are:
- Culture and engagement: The naked organisation
- Leadership: Why a perennial issue?
- Learning and development: Into the spotlight
- Reinventing HR: An extreme makeover
- Workforce on demand: Are you ready?
What is evident from the report is that the “softer” areas of business are now the priority, as it is a new world in which we operate. For example, employees are now always connected and can access information about whatever management says instantaneously to confirm its validity. They also use social media to check perceptions and reputations. Employees also consider themselves more as customers or partners than employees. As such, they have expectations on how they will be treated that is substantially different to the traditional employer-employee model.
Two paragraphs from the report are particularly interesting in directing company leadership to addressing these issues:
It is time for a shift in how leaders’ performance is being measured. Rewards should be directly related to leaders developing successors and sharing talent not simply on meeting a strategic or operational KPI. A greater emphasis on a coaching environment should form a part of development and assessment frameworks with out-of-the-box development opportunities considered, such as business partnering, being considered.
Today’s leaders must look to engage their employees and therefore it must be made a corporate priority. Real steps need to be undertaken to ensure work is more meaningful. Leaders need to ensure they are being authentic in their style and transparent in their approach to feedback and coaching.
Thinking about your business, are you planning for the future, or responding to the past? Your success depends upon the future, not the past.
If you would further information on how Avondale Business School can help your organisation, contact Warrick Long
P: 02 4980 2168