How can we be better leaders within today's multicultural and multigenerational context?
It’s not surprising that we live in a time of constant change. Since the internet became part of our lives, societal transformations have become more intense and unpredictable, shaping entire generations’ behaviors. Today, the workforce includes the highest number of generations in history, along with initial but significant changes in the diversity of leadership profiles regarding gender, race, and sexual orientation. These shifts are altering worldviews.
In today’s social context, we have the privilege of learning from all these diverse profiles and growing both personally and professionally. Since I began working with culture at CultureCode, I have increasingly understood the critical role of leadership, not only within organizations but in people’s lives. In my journey, I’ve worked with incredible leaders who shared their knowledge and space, contributing to my growth and shaping my worldview. I’ve worked with amazing people who helped develop values that have become part of my essence.
I’d like to share some important points I’ve learned from these individuals that have helped me become a better leader and person.
- Leadership Styles. Historically, men and women have had vastly different career paths, but this is only one factor distinguishing leadership models. We must consider aspects like personality, life context, and, of course, the organizational culture in which we operate. In most of my professional experiences, female leaders taught me the importance of human care while focusing on generating positive results and business impact. I learned how intangible factors influence tangible outcomes.
- Business Vision. It’s crucial at all levels of an organization to have a clear understanding of the business vision. From end to end, from operations to top leadership, it must be clear where the company is headed and how it will get there. This requires combining tangible and intangible aspects—using intelligence to define strategy and make decisions while maintaining organizational health to sustain the team for the journey.
- Clarity. Communication can never be overemphasized. We’re more likely to make mistakes by thinking we’re being repetitive in our communication, which is a significant mistake. Clarity requires consistency, adaptability, and resilience. We must tailor messages to each audience and repeat and reinforce them (yes, repetition is intentional). And it starts with our actions, leading by example, not merely with words. Our behavior has a stronger impact than empty words.
- Autonomy. Once we know where we want to go and how we’ll get there, it’s essential to give each person the space to perform their work. Strong cultural guidelines and establishing a habit of giving feedback build trust among different profiles in the workplace, creating a safe environment for working autonomously.
- Collaboration. Teamwork begins with leadership’s example. As mentioned earlier, our actions speak louder than our words. For a team to be collaborative, the example must come from above, demonstrated daily in how leadership interacts within the team and with other teams.
At CultureCode, we understand the vital role of leadership in organizational culture and brand reputation. That’s why one of our focuses is helping businesses train their current and future leaders, sharing tools and insights to activate company culture, improve communication, and foster people’s development in today’s multicultural and multigenerational context.
Leadership, therefore, is not a position but an attitude, one that should be instilled by example. Developing your team and leadership is essential to driving your team and business to the next level.
