Your employees rely on you for guidance and encouragement, and as a leader, you are responsible for guiding them through uncertain times and boosting their morale.

Here are some strategies to enhance your abilities as a leader in 2024:

Practice Human-Centric Leadership

Conventional leadership paradigms promote hierarchical management methods characterized by linear and inflexible task delegation. However, contemporary employees require a different leadership style: one that is adaptable, empathetic, and genuine.

Caitlin Duffy, Research Director at Gartner, pointed out that social and political unrest, the blending of work and personal life, and the rise of hybrid work setups are erasing the traditional boundaries that define the leader-employee relationship. Leaders now must navigate a more nuanced dynamic, transitioning from a conventional leader-to-employee interaction to a more empathetic and human-centered approach.

Although this management style might appear straightforward, only 29% of employees report experiencing human leadership from their superiors. 

Create A Crisis Management Plan

Various risks, such as conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, economic uncertainties, and the impending presidential election, characterize the business environment in 2024.

Leaders need to cultivate strong crisis management skills, emphasizing proactive strategies, effective communication, and recovery plans to avoid harming employees, damaging reputations, causing financial losses, and causing legal ramifications.

Make Building a Cohesive Culture A Priority

Office culture has significantly changed, impacting employee morale, employer branding, recruitment efforts, productivity, and innovation. According to Peter Aykens, Practice Vice President of Gartner's Human Resources practice, reduced in-person interactions, decreased time spent in the office, and smaller employee networks have disrupted the traditional cultural landscape.

It is crucial to cultivate a culture that resonates with everyone, regardless of the working model you adopt for your employees. Ensure you make employees feel valued, emphasize your business's mission and values, and implement tools that facilitate seamless connectivity throughout the day.

READ ALSO: Is Your Team Really Engaged? Here Are Key Strategies for Improving Workplace Morale and Productivity

Delegate

Many managers believe that closely managing employees is essential for steering the company successfully in times of uncertainty. Still, this instinct often leads to micromanagement, negatively impacting morale and productivity. In 2024, resist the urge to take on too much from your team and delegate responsibilities as much as possible.

This rings particularly true for managers overseeing Generation Z workers, who are increasingly influential in the workforce. According to Michael Pankowski, Gen-Z Analyst at Deloitte Digital, bosses who entrust their Gen-Z employees with open-ended tasks, satisfying their desire for autonomy and ownership, will receive dedication and creativity from these young workers.

In 2024, prioritize assigning tasks to your team members that they can accomplish independently with the needed resources. Empowering your employees with greater responsibility allows you to focus on overarching goals while fostering their professional growth.

Ask for Feedback

A feedback loop is essential for promptly identifying and resolving issues before they escalate. Ensuring open and honest communication facilitates the identification of workflow bottlenecks, communication hurdles, and cultural issues that may undermine your employees' loyalty.

While seeking feedback on your work style might feel uncomfortable, it is still valuable to ask your team for input on improving your operations and innovative ideas for new products, marketing strategies, and customer retention initiatives, ultimately enhancing your business's performance.

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