​Hi, I’m Vicki-Anne from Creative Recruiters.

I've been contemplating leadership in our post-COVID workplace recently. Nearly every business owner I speak to, including myself, has encountered a multitude of new challenges while navigating the changing employee landscape. After some reflection, I decided to share the top five common challenges we've all been facing, along with some solutions that have been shared with me along the way.

1. Managing remote teams in a remote or hybrid work environment has demanded new strategies for communication, collaboration, and maintaining team cohesion.

The most effective approach seems to be ensuring that everyone communicates throughout the day via a group chat, which fosters real-time communication and helps team members feel connected. Incorporating humor and sharing gifs can also boost morale during the work-from-home (WFH) day.

2. Maintaining organisational culture has proven to be quite challenging.

With many businesses opting for WFH on Fridays, the traditional Friday night culture of gathering for drinks and nibbles has become a distant memory. While attempts to shift this culture to Thursdays have been made, it seems people are more inclined to go to the gym.

To address this, it's important to celebrate wins throughout the day, organise team lunches, and plan more formal events outside the office. Allowing the team to take responsibility for organizing activities can also enhance engagement.

3. Supporting employee well-being is crucial, especially as burnout tends to be overlooked.

Employees who are productive whether they're working from home or in the office often struggle to disconnect, necessitating regular breaks and a set finishing time. Encouraging employees to turn off email and phone alerts and to step out of the house can help alleviate burnout.

4. Navigating uncertainty and change has become a common challenge for employers, who must adapt quickly to shifting priorities and market conditions.

Transparency with employees and avoiding surprises can help mitigate uncertainty and build trust within the team.

5. Accelerated digital transformation has brought about opportunities for businesses to enhance efficiency.

While embracing digital transformation is essential, not everyone is comfortable with constant change, leading to skill gaps among employees. This can ultimately hinder business progress, making it crucial to address skill gaps proactively.

Ultimately, we're all in this together, and I hope sharing these insights from my conversations proves helpful in some way.

In the meantime, remember to keep smiling.