Along the way, I’ve learned that the way we lead affects the way people live. We need to move away from management to Truly Human Leadership –  leadership that focuses on caring about each person for who they are. Teamwork and effective leadership have never been more critical in the climate of the pandemic – especially with new ways of working such as hybrid or remote working. With so much uncertainty around us, we need to change the way we do business and treat the people within. 

The Great Resignation, the new normal?

There’s currently a lot of coverage in the news about the “Great Resignation” occurring right now in the U.S. According to a recent report by National Public Radio, a record 4.3 million workers in this country quit their jobs in August.

Why this 'Great Resignation' is happening is the subject of much debate. The NPR article went on to say that the COVID-19 pandemic has made workers reevaluate what they are actually getting out of their jobs. But also pointed out that although we’ve talked alot about 'essential workers' in the pandemic, we have traditionally treated people as if they are easily replaced. 

When you treat people as if they are replaceable, you are saying they do not matter. For too long, many business leaders have thought that people should be grateful and happy simply because they have a job.

So, just maybe, part of this 'Great Resignation' is that people are tired of being “quite replaceable.” Maybe they’re tired of being considered a function, rather than a person. Maybe they’re tired of the toxic leadership described in the statistics above that is lessening their quality of life and stripping them of their dignity.

Maybe one of the biggest causes of the “Great Resignation” is poor leadership.

Truly Human Leadership

Every one of us, no matter what our job or where we live, simply want to know that who we are and what we do matters. As leaders in business, we have the awesome responsibility to let people know that they do.

When so many people go home each night not feeling valued, it is no surprise that they finally break and decide that they need to figure out something better for their life. Maybe the COVID-19 pandemic was the tipping point.

Workers are looking for a 'New Deal' that is not just about money and benefits. It’s about work that is fulfilling with leaders who take seriously their responsibility to recognise the inherent dignity in our people and honor it, not break it.

Organisations should move away from traditional management practices to leadership. It’s about creating an environment where people feel valued and cared for. Make them feel like an integral part of the company’s purpose, and make them know that they matter.

Caring is the most essential skill we can teach our leaders, one that is achieved through empathetic listening and recognising and celebrating our people. But it also starts with teaching leaders to change their mindset and start seeing those within their span of care as someone’s precious child, not a replaceable function. Here are a few suggestions on how to put that into practice.

1. Treat people like family -  Leading the team with care, trust and compassion can impact your people’s lives in a multitude of ways. From how they engage with the community to mental health, the way you treat those in your care will have a ripple effect in other areas of their lives.
2. Listen with empathy - When’s the last time you truly listened? To be a good leader, you need to be able to put yourself in their shoes and truly hear them out. In a world that’s noisy and full of talk and debate, the power of listening will help each person feel the presence of a leader who can help create a brighter future.
3. Be a steward, be a leader - Not only is it vital for workers to feel appreciated and valued, but it’s also equally as important to ensure that your people know what impact they’re making every day. True leadership is about being a steward and creating an environment for each person’s unique motivations, skills, and challenges.
4. Success lies in the way you touch the lives of others - Rather than focusing on quarterly goals and ROI, treat goals with a focus on the people. Only then, you can empower your people to make your business great and do extraordinary things.
5. Recognise and celebrate the goodness in people - Everyone has special talents that can be nurtured. As leaders, not only is it our duty to turn their special gifts into something more, but we can create a culture of giving thanks, reminding them that their efforts are appreciated.

It’s your role as a leader to treat those in your care with compassion in the equation. The true measure of success lies in the way you touch the lives of others, leading people to do extraordinary things.

Taken from Bob's keynote at SafetyCulture's 2021 Made Extraordinary Summit.