We’re far enough into 2024 that some of the “new year shine” has worn off and businesses are hunkering down to take a closer look at what realities this year will bring.
The tough news? Businesses are facing complex issues that will affect their workforce and their bottom line. Period.
The comforting news? We’ve been here before. In times like these, true leaders stand tall, hone their skills, and get real about how to manage the challenges they face.
What should you do?
- Get real about the current challenges your industry faces right now
- Stay engaged with your teams and keep a clear vision of what’s important for your organization
- Continue to educate yourself and your employees
We polled our top leadership keynote speakers, and they unanimously agreed the following issues will be top of mind for the coming year:
1. Remote Work: Leaders continue to seek clarity and set boundaries around remote work and what it means. Nearly three years after the onset of COVID, the workforce is still grappling with what is best for each team and organization. Many high-profile leaders have voiced their intentions around remote work, some even demanding employees return to in-person work.
On the other hand, some employees are standing their ground and seeking work with companies that allow for flexible work – either fully remote or a hybrid office/home agreement. A recent report via Zippia states that 26% of U.S. employees now work remotely and 16% of U.S. companies are fully remote. How does this topic affect your organization, and will it negatively impact communications, engagement, and even profit?
2. Cultural Issues: Cultural issues are not going anywhere. DEI subtopics involving gender, race, and sexual orientation continue to be important factors in highly-functioning work cultures. Leaders are tasked with understanding these nuanced ideas and maintaining proper communication, expectations, and values. Fast Company tells us that major companies are investing in large-scale research projects to be able to track DEI-related data. What is your company doing to stay on top of this? Are you feeling up to speed and capable of managing these topics?
3. Employee Engagement and Turnover: As we explored in recent articles, employee engagement will continue to rock many organizations. Generational values are creating a unique environment where employees are challenging the idea of what their career trajectory will look like. How do you safeguard your company from revolving turnover? How will you build an engaging, inviting, and meaningful workplace that employees take pride in?
Whew, those are big topics – and big questions – to ponder. It won’t be easy. But there are wonderfully talented and experienced leaders who know just what to do. Don’t panic. Educate.
Here are four leadership programs designed to equip, educate, and inspire your leaders this year:
Anton Gunn is a former senior advisor to President Barack Obama and an expert on socially conscious leadership. This man knows his stuff. Anton’s top leadership keynote, Just Lead, will give leaders the tools they need to purposefully influence and create a lasting impact on their workforce. This program gives attendees powerful tools to increase trust, engage teams, and build a caring and meaningful work culture. Read the full program description at www.michellejoyce.com/antongunn.
Colette Carlson is a Hall of Fame Speaker famous for teaching audiences how to transform relationships through the power of connected communication. Her highly regarded keynote, The Connected Leader, shows leaders at any level how to connect to create lasting influence and impact. This uplifting and research-based program will show attendees how to earn loyalty and respect, learn specific communication techniques, and create a flourishing culture. Read the full program description at www.michellejoyce.com/colettecarlson.
Another Hall of Famer, Mark Sanborn is an internationally best-selling author and speaker on leadership, business growth, and performance. Mark’s in-demand keynote, Leading the Future Now, is designed to show leaders how to engage and inspire today’s workforce. Based on a proprietary, comprehensive research study about leadership during the COVID crisis, Mark’s program shares leadership skills to improve communication, employee retention, and more. Read the full program description at www.michellejoyce.com/marksanborn.
Jim Knight is an energetic, culture-improving rockstar, who led Hard Rock International’s global training for over two decades. Jim’s impactful keynote, Leadership that Rocks, creates immediate results. Attendees walk away with the ability to enhance employee engagement, amp up communication, and foster mentorship in their organization. Read the full program description at www.michellejoyce.com/jimknight.
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