Management in 2021

Managers need a range of skills to lead successful and productive teams. They need to be confident communicators who use their experience to better themselves and their work projects. But what will they need in 2021?

As we all know, managers were put through a lot in 2020. They had to coordinate teams while they worked from home and deal with markets on the brink of collapse. But everyone has come out the other side and 2021 is destined to be an exciting and positive year. Here are a few skills every manager will need to employ in the coming months.

Empathy is essential in every relationship. And being able to understand and relate to another person’s emotions will help you compromise and find productive solutions.

2020 brought a myriad of changes that required us to deal with difficult situations and adjust to change. By using empathy, managers were able to maintain strong workplace relations and find new ways to work. In 2021, this needs to continue. Workers will be looking to managers for help and support and for empathetic responses to issues.

Empathetic managers will gain the respect of their employees and colleagues and will maintain a strong and loyal workforce in 2021.

The way we work has shifted in the last 12 months. Your employees and colleagues have experienced unbelievable change both in their work and personal lives, and so have you. Therefore, it is important to acknowledge those changes and adapt.

In 2021, these changes will continue to occur and what worked a few months ago may not work for you now. As a manager, it is important that you understand the different aspirations and personal lives of your team and be flexible with the way you manage.

By being flexible, you will ensure a productive team that’s adaptable and that can work together no matter the challenge.

Data is vital for monitoring business efforts, indicating trends and identifying opportunities. Data also allows managers to make business decisions that are fact-driven and free from emotional influence. This year, a keen eye for data will ensure that you lead your team with evidence-based decision making.

With so many changes being thrown at us, it can be tempting to spend a long time deliberating about a plan of action. However, this could cause you to miss opportunities and lose the confidence of your colleagues. As a manager, you need to make decisions quickly and confidently. For example, if a new lockdown were to arise, you will need to decide how to transition your workforce as quickly as possible.

Intelligent budgeting would encompass lean spending measures and smart use of funds if anything unexpected were to happen. You may need to scrap old budgets and formulate completely new targets that acknowledge the current financial environment. In 2021, a sound understanding of your budgets and finances will be crucial.

Covid-19 has forced us all to take a look at our work and re-think how we do it. And it seems that 2021 is the year of education and upskilling. Whether you choose to take a free online course or enrol at a college, any additional skills will be invaluable to your work as a manager.

If you’d like to gain an industry-focussed qualification designed to help you in your career, Central Australian College can help. We have management courses that will build upon your existing knowledge and help you excel in 2021.

Technology is transforming the way business operates and you must stay ahead of the curve. Companies across the globe are harnessing management software and analytics tools to streamline operations and maximise profits. Therefore, digital technology can also help the way that you connect with your team and manage their work.

Even in lockdown, digital marketplaces continued to thrive and technology companies experienced a boost to sales. No matter what company you work for, digital trends could future proof your operations.

It’s not just you that could benefit from expanding your skills and knowledge; your team could too. Actively encouraging your staff to pursue additional training could be what sets your team apart from the rest.

By offering training to your team, you help to build their confidence and their loyalty. If your team feels supported in their development, they will perform better and stay longer.

If you or your staff wish to pursue further education to turn 2021 into a productive and successful year, get in touch with us at Central Australian College.