This article was originally published at Fast Company by Michelle Gibbings.
As we bid farewell to 2023’s roller-coaster ride, leaders stand at the precipice of a new year filled with uncertainties and opportunities. Success depends on the approach you take.
The ongoing impacts of the pandemic, geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, and other challenges were testing and transformative through 2023, demanding adaptive leadership and strategic foresight.
As we look ahead to 2024, focus not just on yourself but also on your team, organization, clients/customers, and suppliers to proactively set yourself up for success.
SET YOUR FOUNDATIONS
Leaders need to take care of themselves before they can care for others. So, invest time and effort in your physical, mental, and emotional well-being as well as your professional development and growth.
Identify the gaps in your daily routine and build daily habits of self-care and learning. Both practices will help cultivate your growth mindset, resilience, and emotional intelligence, enabling you to better cope with adversity and change and to inspire and motivate others.
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KNOW YOUR TEAM
How well do you know your team members’ strengths, motivations, and career aspirations?
Everyone wants to feel they matter and be acknowledged, and as a leader, there are many small steps you can take every day to build connection and engagement with your team.
Take an interest in your team, their work, and career development and discover what they care about. Take the time to check in on them. Be supportive and responsive.
Teams achieve more when they have common goals and clear direction and work in a psychologically safe environment. When you have psychological safety, your team will be more likely to take risks, share ideas, and innovate because they feel comfortable expressing opinions and challenging the status quo. They also know making genuine learning mistakes won’t damage their career.
The legendary basketball player Michael Jordan once said: “Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships.”