7 tips for managers for a better world

Leadership methods are essential to create a better world for us and future generations. Here are my 7 tips for managers.

I was 26 when I got my first management position and I had no idea what I was doing. I was proud to be a young manager. The average age of managers in my company was 50 and I was trying to fit in. My role models were tough men who went the extra mile and fired entire management teams at the drop of a hat.

It took me some time and a lot of trial and error to figure out who I am and stay true to my leadership values. Because this is the way forward to build a people-centered economy where people’s well-being comes first. Leadership practices are essential to building a better world.

According to the State of the Workplace: 2023 Report published by Gallup, low engagement costs the global economy 8.8 trillion US dollars. That’s 9 percent of global GDP. Is that reason enough to change leadership practices?

I have been guiding people for over 20 years and have found that traditional methods do not work for me. Let me explain why.

1. A company is more than a well-oiled machine

Traditional leadership is often rigid and consists of fixed structures, decisions made by a select few and instructions flowing from the top down.

But people are not just parts of a machine, they have their own talents, views and needs. They have ideas and want to implement them. After all, it is creativity that drives humanity forward, and that also applies to a company. We need to create a space for talented people to express their thoughts and do their best. The mechanical view of the world was created to run factories with repetitive tasks. We need a different approach to solve the complex problems of the modern world.

From agility to self-organized teams, modern ways of working help us solve problems faster and create great workplaces.

2. people know when you are authentic

I still remember how a superior apologized to me 20 years ago. I was young and enthusiastic. He tried to curb my exuberant energy by steering me off my path – without explaining why it was better to slow down the project. I was frustrated and annoyed. He realized he was wrong and apologized. This earned him even more respect and he remains one of the best managers I have ever had. He was authentic and likeable. Even the best people make mistakes.

In the past, leaders were expected to always appear strong and never show doubt. But it is a strength to show yourself and admit when you are unsure or wrong. A human leadership style is understandable and makes people follow your vision. On the other side is the employer who always says the company is doing well. But they are losing money. This insults the intelligence of the employees. They know the situation is not rosy; there is no need to fake it.

People know that you don’t have everything under control and can easily see through false strength.

3. diversity of opinion is the essence of diversity

Having a vision and an implementation plan is good, but it doesn’t mean that your path is the only right one. Diversity means more than just gender, it also means welcoming people from different backgrounds and generations. It means creating an inclusive space for people from different regions or cultures.

A manager should listen to the ideas and opinions of their team. They need to accept that there are different ways to achieve the same results. As long as the team follows high ethical standards, you should give them the space to do things their way. It may sound counterintuitive, but accepting different views leads to better solutions.

Diversity is just a buzzword if you don’t accept different opinions.

4. purpose is more than short-term business goals

We hear every day how important purpose and people are, but the truth is that too many companies focus solely on short-term profits. True leadership is about giving people purpose and helping humanity build a better world. Discussing purpose is far more than empty talk. There will always be a company that pays better, offers more benefits or has a better company restaurant. You will lose your best talent if you think you can solve every problem with money. A goal motivates your team to get up every morning and work for you. Do you have this in your company?

If you prioritize people’s purpose and well-being, profits and growth are inevitable.

5. adapting to the fast-paced world is a must for success

We used to create five-year plans, but the truth is we rarely achieved them. The world has moved on and we now understand that leadership means adapting quickly and changing continuously. We talk about self-organized teams, agility and empowerment.

Plans are good until they are not. Markets and technology are changing rapidly and we cannot expect a detailed business plan to remain valid for the next five years. Change is not pleasant, but you have to embrace it.

6. people grow when they can discover new things

There is a saying that you only start learning when you leave your comfort zone. The traditional view is that managers should have all the answers. But a good leader is also a learner who is always open to new ideas and approaches. Experiment with your team, unleash your creativity during a brainstorming session and encourage your team to venture into the unknown.

Curiosity has advanced humanity, so encourage it and reap the rewards.

7. a positive working environment is non-negotiable

“A cucumber is not a cucumber from the start. It is initially a cucumber and only becomes something else when salt is added.” This quote comes from Prof. Dr. Christina Maslach from the University of Berkeley, a pioneer in burnout research. Although companies talk about strengthening personal resilience, they often neglect the massive role of a toxic work environment.

We cannot pretend to be leaders for a better world without putting people’s wellbeing at the heart of everything we do. You can’t have happy customers with unhappy employees. People will go the extra mile in a safe, supportive environment.

Implement healthy leadership practices and remove toxic leaders who refuse to accept the new reality. It’s the 21st century and the era of dictatorial bosses is over.

Leaders need to talk more about mental health and support people who are struggling with it. We need to encourage our colleagues to take care of themselves, get better sleep, eat a quality diet and exercise. For decades, we have glamorized sleep deprivation, even though the science is clear that sleep deprivation leads to serious health problems.

A place where we can fully contribute makes us look forward to the working day.

Leading by example

I believe in the principle of “leading by example”. Put your words into action: Demonstrate the qualities you want to see in your team. We all need role models. A great vision and strong values will inspire people to follow you wherever you go. Be the person your colleagues want to become.

I’m not perfect. I never have been. But I encourage people to grow, to be happy and to be prepared for whatever the future may bring.

Mirela Dimofte

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