UPDATE YOUR LEADERSHIP SKILLS

Nothing ever stays the same – especially not in the business world. Just as society changes and develops, so do workplace challenges.

As a leader, you must be able to adapt to the technological advancements and economic forces that directly impact your team. Here are five modern leadership challenges and how to handle them.

1. TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS

The latest and greatest tech tools from a few years ago are now obsolete, and business leaders may find it difficult to adjust. But staying ahead of the curve means using these gadgets to your advantage.

David Scarola, chief experience office of business coaching service provider the alternative board noted that Generation Y, whose presence is continually increasing in the modern workplace, is generally very tech-savvy, especially with social media. As long as the appropriate administrative and security controls are in place, younger workers can help you ensure that your business stays current.

"The more experienced leader may never feel comfortable with technology," said Scarola. "If you're not [comfortable], allow your younger staff to help lead your company into a more technology-friendly direction.

2. GLOBALIZATION

The internet has opened the doors for globe business opportunities in many different industries. While the increasingly global economy has given businesses the chance to enter previously untapped markets, it also means that leaders need to be more aware of what happens in those markets.

"You're impacted by the globe, whether you're an individual consumer, a business owner or a Fortune 500 executive," said Shirley Engelmeier, author of "Becoming inclusive leader (eBookIt.com, 2014). "What happens everywhere else affects you."

3. DEMOGRAPHIC SHIFTS

Along with globalization, today's business world is seeing a huge shift in demographics, Engelmeier said. Disposable income and spending power have increased greatly for Generation Y, as well as Latino and African-American populations in recent years, so diverse input in the workplace will be required to adapt to this changing market.

"Who you're hiring matters for how you're tapping into these markets," Engelmeier told Business News Daily. "The traditional makeup of who's running [major corporations] is 96 percent [older] white males. Make sure you have representation and diversity across races, genders and ages.

4. CUSTOMER NEEDS AND MOTIVATIONS

Every business owner knows that the key to success is giving customers what they want, but are you doing everything you can to find out exactly what that is? Bruce Cazenave, CEO of home fitness solutions provider Naulitus, believes that many of today's leaders have trouble understanding the complex, changing needs of their customers.

"Not only can business leaders get caught up in outdated policies and yesterday's successes; they can also quickly lose sight of the emerging needs of their target audience," he said. "It's imperative to understand the emotional and intellectual essentials of your customers better than anyone else, and then motivate your organization to deliver innovative, relevant products and solutions that meet [customers'] needs."

Cazenave recommended spending quality time with your customers to let their voices drive progress and inform changes within your organization. You can do this with personal visits, consumer insight research, trade shows,social media  and other communication channels.

"We are continuously in a learning mode," Cazenave said. "When we solicit feedback in a nonthreatening way, the information we get back is powerful and allows us to create one-of-a-kind products and solutions."

October 27, 2017