The 10 Things Leaders Must Do in 2024: A Guide to Success
By Jayson Krause, Managing Director of Level 52 & Award-Winning Author of The Science Behind Success
As we stand on the precipice of 2024, leaders are staring down a gauntlet of challenges that are as intimidating as they are transformative. The world isn’t just changing; it's metamorphosing, and leaders who fail to adapt will find themselves rusty relics in a brave new world. Inspired by my book, "The Science Behind Success," here are the 10 guide-posts for leaders to consider in 2024.
Embrace Change: The future belongs to the agile. Leaders must be willing to pivot, re-evaluate, and embrace the unfamiliar. Start by fostering a culture that views change as an opportunity, not a threat. Consider implementing change ownership training to equip your team with the skills to adapt effectively and harness change rather than resist it.
Cultivate Self-Awareness: The first person a leader must understand is themselves. Regular self-reflection and feedback from others can help identify blind spots and biases that could skew decision-making. Try keeping a journal to document your thoughts, decisions, and reactions, and seek out 360-degree feedback for a real understanding of your reputation inside your business.
Foster a Culture of Learning: Ignite the spark of curiosity within your team. Encourage continuous learning through workshops, seminars, and self-paced online courses. Allocate a budget for professional development and make learning a part of your 1:1 discussions and performance reviews.
Promote Collaboration: Tear down the walls of silos. Foster a culture of collaboration through team-building activities and cross-departmental projects. Use collaborative tools and platforms to facilitate communication and teamwork because collaboration is essential for a healthy organizational ecosystem.
Practice Empathy: Walk a mile in your team's shoes. Regular one-on-one meetings can provide insight into their experiences and perspectives. Practice active listening and validate their feelings and experiences and consider empathy mapping to deliver maximum value to those in your organization.
Prioritize Well-being: A healthy team is a productive team. Implement wellness programs, flexible work schedules, and mental health resources. Encourage work-life balance and make mental health a part of the conversation and it will soon be a part of your success.
Lead with Integrity: Trust is the bedrock of leadership. Be transparent in your actions, accountable in your decisions, and honest in your communication. Model the behavior you want to see and hold yourself and others accountable. As Craig Senyk, past president of Mawer Investment says, “There are no small breaches of integrity.”
Encourage Innovation: The best way to predict the future is to create it. Foster an environment that rewards creative thinking and calculated risk-taking. Create a safe space for brainstorming and encourage out-of-the-box thinking.
Develop Resilience: The path to success is paved with setbacks. Cultivate a culture that views failure as a stepping stone, not a stumbling block. Celebrate the lessons learned from failure and encourage a growth mindset in those around you.
Invest in Personal Growth: The best investment a leader can make is in themselves. Dedicate time to personal development, be it through reading, attending seminars, or working with an executive coach. Set personal goals and track your progress towards them.
The challenges of 2024 are not for the faint of heart. But for those leaders who are willing to let go of last year, there is a fighter's chance. Last year's roadmap may no longer describe the territory of the upcoming year. Commit to doing the right things, in the right way, the future is yours for the taking.
