I’m speaking today at AARC’s Annual Conference.  We’ve had the privilege of speaking at this annual conference for the last several years. We love all of the Regional Council on Governments and Planning Commissions that partner with us across the state. 

As I speak on “Leading in the New Normal,” I’m reminded of all that has shaped this “new normal”.   Shifts in the economy and technology, the pandemic, generational differences.  Even Surgeon General’s warnings. 

But as I begin to unpack these influences imparting a new workplace paradigm, has leadership gotten easier or has it gotten harder?  Most would say harder. 

But does it have to be? 

The advice I have to offer in today’s presentation and to you today about how to lead in the normal are not that complex.  Ignore the things that caused whatever you are dealing with and instead focus on the people in front of you. 

If you can do half of things half better than the rest of “leaders” out there, you won’t be normal.  You’ll be a standout leader. 

1. Know what is actually required for the people you lead to get the job done and done well.  This should be a product of two things:
   1. Your organizational values- that create your competitive advantage
   2. The jobs requirements that create clear work expectations

What is not required is the latest workplace fad, the trend to go back to the way things “used to be” (Amazon, just recently announced it is), or a focus on “fairness”. 

2. Know what is actually required of YOU to lead well.  The number one requirement of leading well is leading- your influence to get work done through others and to grow them in a way that expands the capacity of what can get done and done with excellence.  Apparently, there are only about four things that if done well separate the good from the bad:
   1. Don’t make people work nights and weekends (and you doing so makes them think they should)
   2. Have regular one-on-one meetings with each direct report
   3. Build relationships across departments (and organizations, I’ll add)
   4. Stop keeping people in meetings all the time

3. In the words of Brene Brown, Be Daring, Not Armored.  Leadership is hard, and no one is going to be perfect at it.  Striving for perfection leads to armored leadership behaviors.  It leads to a mentality of “I am right” and a tone of leadership defined by fear.  It doesn’t work.  Instead, practicing daring leadership leads to learning and growth for yourself and others.   Here’s some of our posts on this concept if you want to dive deeper into how to actually practice it: 

• Braving Trust and Vulnerability
• How to Be Perfect (Or Not)
• Let’s Get Ready to Rumble! (Embrace the Suck)
• Let’s Move Away from Cowardly Leadership in 2024
• 4 Ways to Covert Values into Behaviors

If you are leading in the “new normal”, what is one thing you can do today to lead well? 
Find the resources for Mary Ila’s presentation here: Horizon Point What’s Up Page