A new era begins in the midst of familiar challenges

“Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.” - Oprah Winfrey

If the last two years were about unprecedented, unplanned disruption, 2022 must be about taking deliberate steps forward. We cannot and must not ignore the lessons we have learned from the past. To a large extent, it is our responsibility as individuals, leaders, entrepreneurs, and employees, to stitch these valuable lessons into the decisions we make for our collective future. In our previous blog, we highlighted how 2021, despite being challenging, also provided opportunities for growth. As we step into this new year, we need to remember that the future will continue to be challenging. Leaders and businesses will be faced with the realities of climate change, hybrid work, supply chain disruptions, and the fast-evolving priorities of their workforce as well as consumers.

With the pandemic very much still a part of our lives, everyone in the organization must keep their armor on and their fighting spirit alive. While business leaders will be at the forefront, it is only through collective effort that we can expect to continue on this course of growth.

The future of work is more human than we think

A lot has been written about the irreversible shifts to our ways of working. Technology has redefined workplaces and, in some cases, even workforces. But, the future of work is not restricted to ensuring a successful hybrid working model. It also includes making businesses more human. Employee priorities are shifting, and businesses need to pay attention. The future of work has no room for toxic work cultures that in some way or the other glamorize work burnout. Last year, many companies, including global giants like Nike, took steps to improve and support their employees’ mental health. However, this focus on holistic well-being must not only be reflected in policies and decisions, but also in the everyday actions of the senior leadership. Going forward, leaders need to model behavior that encourages employees to actively prioritize their own well-being.

In the booming startup ecosystem, one might think that it is far more challenging to implement a healthy work-life balance. While it is true that entrepreneurs and their teams may have to work longer hours, it is equally important that they offset this with focused steps to improve overall well-being. Even the most passionate and motivated individuals need a healthy work environment to be their productive best.

Opportunities to build real, meaningful interpersonal connections, a pro-collaboration culture, psychological safety - these are all factors that help individuals derive purpose in their work and prevent them from getting lost in silos. At the same time, entrepreneurs must not undermine the importance of personal coaching to improve the health of their business and their personal wellness. It plays a huge role in aligning passion with purpose, creating accountability, and building leadership skills in entrepreneurs.

Redefining success with intentional innovation

Last year, a record number of startups across the world became unicorns. As more and more entrepreneurs strive to achieve the coveted unicorn status, they must not lose sight of larger responsibilities. From investors to employees, a growing number of people are now hesitant to associate themselves with businesses that refuse to commit to sustainable development. In 2022, and beyond, every business must build an organizational culture that supports ESG and sustainability efforts. The benefits of putting sustainability at the core of all business strategies are manifold – from increasing profits to improving a company’s reputation and making them more attractive to new and existing talent.

As we have learned, the key to progress, especially in times of unprecedented crisis, is innovation. Starting now, we must keep sustainability and environmental impact at the center of all innovations. Businesses need to incorporate technology in their everyday operations to improve processes and products and reduce waste as well as costs in the long term.

The future also calls for a more people-powered approach to sustainability and growth. Leaders need to create opportunities for employees to play an active role in building a conscious and responsible business. Without any freedom for people to collaborate, think, and act in new ways, positive transformation, and its outcomes, are implausible.

Moving to new beginnings

We are only just getting started in this new world of work. As leaders, one must be prepared to embrace the challenges, opportunities, as well as responsibilities that come with it. The journey ahead, though not easy, promises to be full of new lessons.