People are struggling with burnout
On the topic of agile working, business engagements and networking in the digital world (without losing humanity), during the African Insurance Exchange (AIE) 2021 conference an esteemed panel looked at how to harness the power or technology to boost productivity and create more agile, skilled teams without losing human touchpoints
They also explored the impact of the failure to develop, attract and/or retain talent in an ever-evolving business environment.
It has been a lot to take in
“I didn’t imagine we would find ourselves in the lockdown for so long. To constantly live-in hope and adjust to the situation is requiring a new set of leadership and skills. There are a lot of mental issues too. Face to face conversation and interaction has been taken away from us… it is a lot,” said Nontokozo Madonsela, Group Chief Marketing Officer at MMH.
“Most of us in corporates were used to planning ahead… now, we have learnt the ability to hear people, deeply care and be flexible. The safety of humans is first. It’s the soft skills and being human that has become important,” continued Madonsela.
“To remain equipped, we have been clear on deliverables and on what organisations are trying to achieve… transparent communication etc. What worked for us is that we are constantly engaging with our teams. We had routine check ins, to connect and prioritize with everyone. This helps to keep employees engaged and know that we, as employers, are there for them,” said Madonsela.
A shift in focus to human capital
On the other end, “We have seen a shift in focus to human capital, employee wellbeing and employees rising to the occasion. There have been massive opportunities that have presented themselves in terms of productivity and the shift to the digital world,” said Bernice Wessels, Associate Director and the People Analytics Lead at PWC.
“There has been a focus on new skills required in this new world… organizations are becoming more and more digital and partnering with third parties,” added Wessels.
“Productivity has gone up… we are working harder. However, that’s where productivity and wellbeing need to be balanced. People are struggling with burnout because they are working the whole time. This is where leadership takes centre stage in terms of support, balance and deciding where to draw the line,” emphasised Wessels.
“A lot of organisaions have decided working from home is the new normal and have decided remote working or 50/50 is the way to go. From a cost and productivity perspective each organisation will decide what is best. The key thing is to determine what will work best for both employers and employees,” said Wessels.
Leadership behaviour
“It’s about how we lead and connect. Its about leadership behaviour and what employers do, how they support employees and the objectives, said Matimba Mbungela, Chief Human Resource Officer at Vodacom.
“As an organization, we talked about being future ready last year. We asked ourselves what type of flexibility we want to give, what are the workplace desires and the types of spaces that we all want to work in. Overall, its about organizational clarity,” added Mbungela.
Organizational clarity
In conclusion, the panelists shared the same sentiments…
“The need for human relationships remains. As leaders let us keep the personal connection alive. Remember that human lives come first, and that mental health is a serious issue. Offer support and be inclusive,” said Madonsela.
“Keep employees involved, this is key,” concluded Wessels.
In his closing remarks Mbungela said, “Be clear about how you engage with your workforce. Be authentic as a leader. Seek help from HR on how to approach these engagements. Remember, organizational clarity is important.”
Writer’s Thoughts
Working from home is the new normal. There have been massive opportunities that have presented themselves. The key thing is to determine what will work best for both employers and employees. Do you think remote working or 50/50 is the way to go? Please comment below, interact with us on twitter at @fanews_online or email me your thoughts [email protected].
