This article was originally published in Turkish on HBR Türkiye, in March 2021. View Turkish version here.
How often do you think about the future?
Do you have a creative dream that you’re striving for?
And most importantly, what steps do you take to prepare yourself, your team, and your company for the future?
These questions invite a number of responses. Key among them, however, is the importance of keeping up with future trends.This is imperative not only for the success of your company but also for your leadership.
Following future trends enables us to make better forecasts at both micro and macro levels, discover better business ideas, and visualize things from a broader perspective. They reflect the shifts in industries, as well as showcase potential threats and identify opportunities. They help us to see society and the workforce holistically in both sociological and psychological terms. In turn, keeping track of future trends allows us to make better decisions for our companies, teams, and even in our personal lives.. This is why knowledge of future trends is critical to being an effective leader. While we focus on the present, we must also strive to achieve a higher level of consciousness, open ourselves to new developments, and adapt ourselves to the changing times..
Let's consider the Covid-19 outbreak we are experiencing. We have all had to adapt to a new way of living. We continue our relationships with our friends, families, and loved ones virtually. Even our grandparents are online. Since we are physically separated, it is more important than ever that we feel a sense of ‘togetherness’. As such, it is important to acknowledge that the concepts of ‘togetherness’ and ‘being connected’ have transcended our previous understanding and taken on a whole new dimension.
Be a Connecting Leader
The meaning of connection has also changed for most companies. According to a worldwide study by Facebook, half of consumers state that being able to message with a business makes them feel more connected to itCompanies must consider this in their business models the same way leaders must consider this in their leadership styles. The ‘connecting leader’ brings synergy and success to virtual teams. So, what exactly does a connecting leader mean?
A connecting leader is someone who succeeds in staying connected with their team and the business world under any and all circumstances. A good leader will interact with every single person on their team, monitor their mental and physical health, and provide continuous support to drive success. Most notably, a connecting leader does this not because they have to, but because they care about the wellbeing of their employees. This is undeniably the key to staying connected.
A piece of news I came across on BBC talks about a brand-new way to stay connected: Moodbeam. It is a technology that reveals the mood of the individual with the wristband they wear. This bracelet is available in two colors: yellow and blue. You can convey your mood to your manager with these two colors. If you press the yellow button, you are happy. If you press the blue button, the message that you are sad is transmitted. While some may consider this a genuine method of connection, I will personally always opt for having a real dialogue as a means of communication. At this point, the question of how to reach 500 people at the same time may arise. Surely, this shows the style and strength of your leadership. I am in favor of expressing emotions freely at any time, not with a bracelet X times a day.
Making Life Easier with Innovations
The priorities of a connecting leader and the way they do business need to reflect future trends. It seems that even if some of us return to the office, remote work models are here to stay. In our fast-paced world, leading remote or hybrid teams and succeeding in virtual projects are essential. With this, utilizing the benefits of technology is a must for any successful leader. Platforms such as Slack, Mural, and Trello are just a few options to expand collaboration and communication in virtual environments. The use of these tools has led to a rise in productivity and makes work more enjoyable.
Home (or) Office?
Another future trend that leaders should keep an eye on is the integration of remote work environments. . As mentioned in the Future 100 by Wunderman Thompson, expectation in home decoration is completely different from how it used to be. For example, visualize a living room that can easily be converted into an office or classroom environment, or seats that can be reconfigured into a makeshift phone booth for your virtual meetings. This flexibility raises our level of productivity and efficiency by creating a work environment at home.
Another new workplace trend is the appearance of virtual offices and virtual headquarters. For example, WeTransfer built a virtual replica of the company's Dutch headquarters using graphics that simulate video game environments. You can virtually walk around the meeting rooms, explore the library, and even sip coffee with friends in the cafeteria. This virtual environment allowed employees to feel connected with their teams in a virtual environment even if they couldn’t be there physically.Feeling like we’re in an office space can trigger our creativity, and turning our home into a business environment and entering a ‘virtual headquarters’ allows us to stay more focused and connected. It doesn’t feel far off from the virtual realities of ‘The Matrix’ or ‘Avatar’, does it?
Change is not something we should fear. Rather, it is something we should embrace with curiosity.Only by questioning what awaits us can we reach out and seize the future. And, as always, those who fail to keep up with future trends are bound to fail as leaders. As our way of living and working continues to transform, we’ll just have to wait and see how technology can change our lives for the better. One thing is certain: we need to continue adapting to the changes happening around us in order to cultivate a promising future.