Leadership in the new normal

Commentators have described this post-recession world as the ‘new normal’. Scott Anthony in the Harvard Business Review Blog recently wrote: "There are still some executives who are waiting for things to return to ‘normal’. It's not going to happen. Constant change is the new normal … Success now requires not just doing it better, but mastering the ability to do it differently."

The environment we operate in is no longer stable. The new normal is characterised by even greater complexity, running at a higher intensity and speed, with a higher likelihood of volatile events occurring and affecting our business operations on a regular basis.  Our leaders are faced by a number of paradoxes and can be paralysed in their decision making as they discuss and debate the right thing to do. At first glance it appears daunting, but we’ve summarised seven broad implications of this new normal environment:

• Rapid business strategy development
• Focused innovation
• Doing more with less, but maintaining engagement
• Simplified, responsive and flexible structures
• Increased customer focus
• Leadership and brand authenticity
• Dealing with demographic change and diversity

The above has urgent implications for HR strategy and activity. To find out more, email info@chpd.com or sign up to one of of free webinars which explores the implications of leading in the new normal.