How To Facilitate Team Success In 2021

As we learn to adapt the uncertainty that has resulted from Covid-19, there are many challenges organisations are facing when it comes to people management and getting the most out of their teams. 2020 was tough. There’s no escaping that. The constant uncertainty, the changes to routines, working from home and Zoom fatigue were just a few of the professional challenges we encountered. On a personal level social isolation, home schooling, disrupted plans and financial strain were some of the key difficulties individuals were dealing with. The silver lining is that we have innovated, adapted and taken the opportunity to change. Gone are the days of doing things the way we have always done them. Our hands have been forced when it comes to thinking outside the box and we’re working differently. Some items will not be able to change, but now is the golden opportunity to embrace this opportunity for reinvention.

One of the biggest battles organisations are facing is getting their teams on track and helping them stay there. Everyone is unique and individuals have responded differently to the year that was 2020. The “Adapting to the New Normal: Hybrid Working 2021” report, released by Pitcher Partners Melbourne, Bastion Reputation Management and Bastion Insights, revealed that we now have a real divide in the desires of Australians when it comes to the future of work. 32% of respondents want to always be back in the office, 27% want to work remotely at least four or five days each week and 40% want a hybrid working environment where they have the flexibility to spend some time in the office and some time working remotely. These different types of people and the range of working environments they desire will mean managers will need to be flexible and adopt multiple strategies to manage their teams. Managers are already stretched and still have their own work to do, so are they able to effectively manage the needs of their teams and inspire them to achieve?

This challenge has created a critical need for professional assistance in team mentoring. Organisations who identify the need to bring in professionals whose sole focus is to help and empower individuals to navigate their stressors and the new work landscape will reap the rewards of successful teams. Seeking external assistance in this area will provide the tailored support individuals need without imposing further burdens on leaders in the organisation. Given the broad range of skills required to effectively meet the needs of individuals, professional assistance is the solution to successfully managing this new reality.

Organisations who create environments where employees want to go to work, who respect and work with the needs of individuals, and who create alignment within their teams, will achieve the greatest success. In 2021, this means demonstrating a desire to support individuals and teams to achieve both personal and organisational goals through a holistic approach to wellness and effective leadership. Working with individuals to help them realise their purpose & reignite their passion is critical as we set the tone for the year.

The next step is helping leaders to understand the varied needs of their teams and assisting with the development of strategies to effectively manage this diversity. The new dynamics of remote and hybrid working demand a new skill set to achieve effective leadership. The nature of this work requires tailored approaches to assist individuals to achieve the best results. Many leaders will need help to develop these skills, along with an understanding of how to get the best out of their team now and into the future.