PowerTalk #10 - The Path to the Next Normal: So What Now for Leadership?

As societies and businesses cope with the new normal, the priorities for leadership have changed

2020 has so far been a year of great challenge and disruption. The implications of this leadership, work and learning have been rapid and are continuing. 

As the outbreak continues to move quickly, some of the perspectives and strategies may rapidly fall out of date. We are witnessing an imminent restructuring to the global economic order, where societies and businesses are having to cope with the ‘new normal’. The economic upheaval is forcing companies to view digitalisation not only as a strategically important issue, but a necessity at the present time. 

The post-pandemic world will be a very different place to live in. Digitalisation has now created an even larger leadership gap in companies around the world but as we are witnessing, venturing into the unknown is now viewed as an opportunity rather than a challenge. 

So how has COVID-19 changed the priorities for leadership? What are the leadership traits that we should hold on to during this transition and those that we must cultivate, as businesses pivot from a crisis management mindset to a more creative and innovative one to survive the brutal short term in order to thrive in the long run? This webinar session looks into a hybrid approach towards leadership, simplifying the qualities that combine technology and human ingenuity towards the creation of a trusted and purposeful organisation that is resilient and innovative beyond 2020. There will be no ‘return to normal’.

This special online edition of the PowerTalk will provide a broad overview on all these areas, including best practice examples from around the world, tools leader can use immediately and the opportunity to explore this further in the panel discussion.

1. How leadership and wellbeing are closely linked - and why this matters even more now
2. Communicating with transparency and empathy in turbulent times - the two most important aspects to this
3. Lessons in leadership from the New Zealand response
4. Why it is critical to develop leadership skills in the digital era - minus the resistance, fear & anxiety
5. Why leadership and learning are over complicated, and what this now needs to look like in the new world of work
6. The MCO gave us a chance to experience a new business model and work mobilisation: what must now do to build on that?

Learning Outcomes

REFLECT

• What does this mean for you as a leader

ACTION

• What needs to happen within your organisation and industry

PREPARE

• What you need to be thinking about now to best prepare for future 'norms'

IMPLEMENT

• Simple learning and leadership tools you can use immediately

Session Summary

“The speed and thoughtfulness with which business respond to a crisis will determine their future.” “In going towards the new normal, we need what we have always needed; fairness, physiological safety, clarity and making meaning of what we can do --a role with purpose.”

“The components that make a good leader are having a growth mindset, being able to lead self before others and providing both direction and inspiration.”

“Three (3) core skills of a leader include providing clear directions, being able to engage in difficult conversations and finding ways to collaborate.” “We need to simplify that relationship between leadership and well-being. We need to strip away what that is not a value and think a lot more about the impact they make. In the new normal, we must not just adapt, we need to thrive.”

Testimonials

Professor Datin Dr Mei Pheng Lee, Honorary Adjunct Professor, Bond University 

Thank you, ICDM, James and Frances for this encouraging, useful and insightful session.

Ms Zulaifah Abdul Ghani, Country Finance Lead/Head COE, Luxasia (M) Sdn Bhd 

Thank you ICDM for bringing yet another powerful presentation and sharing of great insights and perspectives. Thank you to James and Frances, truly impactful.

Ms Idora Ibrahim, Assistant Vice President, MNRB Holdings Bhd 

Thank you wonderful panelists for the perk-me-up & all the insights.

Mr Yeoh Chee Beng, & Director, Sutera Lux Hotels & Resorts Sdn Bhd 

A very engrossing session. Thanks James, Frances, Nadia & the ICDM team.

Puan Nik Fazila Shihabuddin, Group Managing Director, Chemical Company of Malaysia Berhad 

Thank you for the great dialogue!