Скачать или смотреть Evolving Leadership: Building Inclusive Competencies for the Modern Workforce: Sangeeta Shetty

The video features an insightful discussion with Sangeeta Shetty, AVP, People and Culture, Ascendion Engineering Private Ltd., focusing on evolving leadership competencies required to thrive in a multinational workforce. Ms. Shetty emphasizes the crucial role of middle management, as employees tend to view the organization through their managers, and many leave managers rather than companies. Post-COVID workplace dynamics have blurred professional and personal boundaries, necessitating leaders who can genuinely connect with their teams. Traditional leadership training, often mechanical and focused on decision-making or feedback, must evolve to prioritize “hard skills” that foster authentic human connection and appreciation.

Ms. Shetty highlights the importance of appreciating individuals, listening deeply, and understanding the intentions behind behaviors, especially in a diverse, multi-generational workforce comprising both seasoned professionals and freshers. She stresses the necessity of recognizing and validating employee ideas to build trust and encourage open communication. A culture rich in diversity and inclusion—not limited to gender but broadly defined—is essential for organizational success. Tailored approaches, including one-on-one conversations and targeted interventions like career cafes for women, help address unique challenges faced by different groups.

She also discusses the importance of creating safe spaces where employees, especially women, can openly share experiences without seeking immediate solutions but rather empathy and validation. This inclusive approach nurtures engagement and helps organizations evolve into workplaces that support all employees’ growth. The conversation concludes with a call to re-examine communication strategies for incoming Gen Z and Gen Alpha employees, reinforcing that mastering these “hard skills” is foundational for effective leadership in today’s complex work environment.

Key Insights

👥 Middle Management as Organizational Lens: Employees often assess their companies based on their immediate managers’ behaviors and leadership styles. This underlines that leadership development should be heavily invested in middle managers to improve employee retention and engagement, as poor managerial relationships are a common reason for attrition.

🔄 Changing Leadership Needs Post-Pandemic: The pandemic has shifted the workplace paradigm, blending professional and personal spaces, which requires leaders to develop empathy and emotional intelligence to maintain team cohesion and productivity. This shift moves beyond traditional task-oriented leadership to a more holistic, people-centric approach.

🙌 Power of Appreciation: Simple acts like genuine appreciation and acknowledging contributions can significantly boost morale and motivation. Leaders often undervalue these “hard skills,” yet they serve as foundational rituals that build trust and reinforce positive behaviors.

🎧 Deep Listening as a Leadership Skill: Effective leadership is not just about hearing words but understanding unspoken cues and intentions behind employee actions. This requires patience, empathy, and an open mind to uncover underlying issues or unmet needs that might affect performance and engagement.

🌍 Comprehensive Diversity and Inclusion: True inclusivity extends beyond just gender and encompasses a wide range of identities and experiences. Organizations must tailor tools and strategies to meet diverse needs, especially given the complexity of hybrid and remote work environments where some employees may feel isolated.

☕ Creating Safe Spaces for Women: Women face unique career challenges, often tied to life cycle changes, which can interrupt career trajectories. Initiatives like career cafes and women’s workgroups offer supportive environments where women can openly share their experiences, fostering empathy and reducing feelings of isolation.

🛠️ Hard Skills for Modern Leadership: Contrary to traditional views that separate hard and soft skills, Ms. Shetty argues that hard skills now include competencies related to human connection, communication, and cultural sensitivity. These are essential for bridging generational gaps and managing a diverse workforce effectively.

This discussion serves as a critical reflection on how leadership must adapt to the evolving realities of the workforce, emphasizing empathy, inclusion, and communication as the pillars of effective leadership today.