While the workforce has seen a near complete evolution over the last few years, leadership styles are also expected to transform.
What workers need from their managers moving forward is more adaptability, authenticity, empathy and humanization, and less rigid leadership.
However, a 2022 Gartner survey shows that just 29% of employees say their supervisors provide effective human leadership. This is despite the fact that employees are craving this type of guidance more than ever before.
“Employees now expect leaders at work to address all of their personal needs that have become more complex and sensitive over the last few years,” said Caitlin Duffy, director of research at Gartner. “It not only affects employees themselves. It has a downstream impact on the business.”
This leadership emphasizes the importance of empathy in the workplace. With anxiety and stress reaching record-high levels in recent years, understanding each individual’s unique circumstances can create a healthier and happier workplace.
“Employees want a personalized experience, and leaders have to adapt to that,” said Duffy. “These qualities may have been important for leadership in the past, but they’re non-negotiable today.”
