As the level of turbulence rises for many organizations, leaders find themselves leading in the age of overwhelm. Just look at the World Uncertainty Index’s (WUI) long-term upward trend. In this context, we might invoke Clayton Christensen’s job-to-be-done theory and ask: Why do we hire leaders? What is their job to be done?
What Employees Need from Leaders in Uncertain Times
Four strategies to engage your people — even under the most unforgiving circumstances.
February 28, 2024
Summary.
It’s one thing to lead through a normal range of uncertainty with its ups and downs. But how do you lead when the inflections, disruptions, dislocations, and other threat conditions pile up, as they have in the last few years? While the leader has little to no control over the external competitive environment, they have astonishing influence over the internal performance environment, including employee engagement, morale, and productivity. How can leaders help their people flourish during extreme uncertainty? The author presents four practical strategies to help you engage employees under the most unforgiving of circumstances.
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New!
HBR Learning
Leading People Course
Accelerate your career with Harvard ManageMentor®. HBR Learning’s online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Leading People. Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Access more than 40 courses trusted by Fortune 500 companies.
What you need to know about being in charge.