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Why now is the time for leaders to role model “humanness”
From a leadership perspective, it’s even more important to focus on the human elements if you want to get the best from your people during these evolving and complex times.
Most people are navigating relentless change, high workloads, digital adaptation and blurred boundaries between work and home life. Therefore, you have both an opportunity and a responsibility to role model ‘humanness”, encouraging openness and honesty so you can support your people in the best way possible.
When leaders take time to truly understand their teams, they can better support mental health whilst driving stronger engagement and productivity. You also have the ability to design (or at least influence) a workplace culture that protects energy, recovery and natural limits.
Work simply becomes easier when the mind is clear, energy is strong and individuals feel safe in the knowledge that the people around them are supportive and have their best interests at heart. Resilience develops, decision-making improves and the ability to handle challenging situations grows stronger. You can focus more deliberately and effortlessly on the task at hand, without getting weighed down by aches and pains, worries or exhaustion.
In contrast, treating your people like machines can exacerbate sleep issues, stress levels, emotional strain, and cognitive load. Even the simplest tasks can feel like a chore, performance declines, mistakes are made, and absenteeism goes up. Ultimately, burnout could be on the radar. By acknowledging each unique individual under your leadership, you are demonstrating that you value and ‘see’ them as much more than interchangeable resources.
