Amitabh Ray

Engaging employees during a layoff is a difficult task. During this period, employees embark on an emotional rollercoaster. The shock of sudden change may affect not just professional performance but overall well-being. Share as much information as possible about the situation. While you may not be able to disclose all details, being transparent about the reasons, the criteria being used, and the timeline can help ease uncertainty and anxiety. Keep the lines of communication open by providing regular updates throughout the process. Actively listen to their feedback and address any questions or concerns they may have to the best of your ability Most importantly, show respect; remember there's a human on the other end of the table.

Many individuals live their lives without truly experiencing growth, fulfillment, or purpose, leading to stagnation and a lack of vitality. This inability to look beyond the box stifles creativity and inhibits innovation. Structured training, such as design thinking principles and coaching, along with a bit of support, can unlock their potential, unleashing a cascade of ideas akin to uncapping a soda bottle. Providing training and development opportunities, coupled with encouraging cross-functional collaboration, is crucial for fostering better innovation. It's essential to ensure that your team encompasses diverse skills, expertise, and demographics to bring varied viewpoints to the table.

During the Covid era, businesses prioritized employee well-being and sustainability, embracing flexibility and resilience. Remote work, epitomized by WFH, surged, leading to increased productivity and customer satisfaction. Emphasis was placed on flexible hours, mental health, and childcare support. Additionally, environmental responsibilities were highlighted, with businesses pledging to reduce their carbon footprint. The digital evolution enables companies to offer flexibility in daily routines and improve work-life balance. This shift towards a Hybrid World of Work requires leadership preparedness, embracing both physical and virtual workspaces while minimizing travel will provide the ultimate flexibility for a win-win solution.

Poor communication can lead to dispute, delay, conflict, and low-quality outcomes. Communication can be both verbal as well as written. PM needs to develop the ability to write clear and effective project plans, reports, and emails. Ensure that they are well-organized and easy to follow, with actionable items and deadlines. For verbal communication, it is important to listen, then structure your message with a clear beginning, middle and end, ensuring that main points stand out. It's crucial to view things from others' perspectives and responding to their emotional needs, besides communicating project goals, customer expectations, deadlines, etc. Taking courses, seeking help of mentors, coaches can help to overcome few such challenges.

IT strategy should start and end with business outcome in mind, not technology. So, make sure that you show TANGIBLE business outcome on implementation of your IT strategy. Be bold, be creative, think outside the box. Stay current with the latest technology trends and innovations in your field. delivering great IT strategy work, requires a combination of technical expertise, leadership skills, and a proactive approach. A great IT strategy should not only be well-documented but also flexible enough to adapt to changing business needs and technological advancements. It should be a document that guides decision-making and ensures that IT investments and initiatives are in sync with the organization's long-term business objectives.

My experience says listening attentively with sincere interest to understand the other person’s point of view is a must to deal with resistance to change. This is the hallmark of authentic leadership. Authenticity simply transmits across the table to resonate with the other person. To motivate true change, it is essential to have unhurried, face-to-face, one-on-one conversations with those who are resisting the change. Listening is key to making everyone feel understood. Be open to learning something new and modifying plans if necessary. Effective dialogue typically requires at least two conversations, with time in between for reflection. The ability to manage resistance effectively is crucial for successful change management.