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In this article, you will learn:
- which areas Polish managers are currently focusing on,
- what challenges the new era presents for them,
- what competencies they should possess today,
- what problems they face, and how companies can support them.
A report by House of Skills, which surveyed Polish managers in 2021/2022, shows that building an atmosphere of trust within the team currently takes up the most time and energy (33%), with the need to motivate employees also ranking highly (27%) [1]. It is no surprise – both of these issues were compromised during the turbulent times of the pandemic. The responsibility for managing these areas fell squarely on the shoulders of managers. Let’s take a look at the challenges these recent years have placed before them and the new skills they must now acquire.
The toughest tasks for modern managers
- Rethinking communication
Generation Z is entering the job market, demanding simple and direct communication. Furthermore, they are interacting with other generations in an entirely new hybrid work environment (you can read more about ways to integrate teams in current realities HERE). These realities make rethinking communication a necessity for managers. Fortunately, they themselves recognize the importance of transparent messaging. They emphasize that in times of crisis and unpredictability, honesty and clarity should become the pillars of managerial authority [1].
- A new approach to motivation
Research has shown that managers today rarely incorporate motivation into their long-term plans [1]. They very often view this issue through a material lens, while their teams are already demanding different solutions. For instance, the youngest generation of employees highly values access to new knowledge, reliable feedback, and solutions that build their mental well-being (you can read more about Generation Z HERE).
Furthermore, employees in general are now calling for motivation through increased support for physical activity and a healthy lifestyle, as well as assistance with mental health support (48%) [2].
It may therefore turn out that benefits that help take care of well-being will—in the long run—be a more powerful motivational tool than bonuses or premiums alone. Fortunately, managers themselves are slowly realizing this, and, for example, offering participation in training (39% of responses) ranks very high on their list of actions for taking care of the team [1].
- Learning about inclusivity
Inclusivity is a trend that is impossible to miss when following the latest reports on the activities of global companies. However, research shows that a significant portion of managers currently do not see the power inherent in diversity and building an inclusive work culture [1]. Unfortunately, such an approach can have a negative impact not only on teams but also on the company's entire image, especially among talent from the younger generation.
- Focus on mental health
This issue has even been raised by the WHO [3]. Fortunately, Polish managers have certainly not overlooked this trend, and employee mental well-being is firmly on their radar. The problem, however, is that when asked if and what actions they are taking to support the mental health of their employees, the most common response was "I don't know" (41%) [1]. This means they need training support in this area, provided by their organizations.
- Distributed teams
Modern managers also face challenges related to remote work. Integrating teams in these new conditions is an exceptionally complex issue. Managers also raise the problem of onboarding and implementing new employees (27% of responses in the remote manager group versus 13% overall). More often than those working in-office, they also struggle with engaging their teams and motivating them to achieve goals (35% versus 23% among in-office employees). [1]
How can a company help managers?
As you can see, managers are facing a mountain of difficulties, the need to agilely adapt their management style to changing conditions, and the constant requirement to acquire new competencies. This is a huge burden for people who were already considered a group particularly vulnerable to stress.
So, what can a company do for its managers?
- Take care of their mental health
According to a House of Skills study, only 10% of managers describe their mental health as poor, while 14% declare a complete lack of problems in this area. However, the authors of the report emphasize that when compared to data on the general population, these figures seem overly optimistic. This is reflected, for example, in studies of first-time managers, of whom only 3% report good mental health [1].
The concerns of the report's authors are confirmed by, for example, American research from Slack, a company known for software that supports businesses with remote work and more. According to the findings, as many as 43% of middle managers stated that they experience burnout as a result of chronic workplace stress. This is higher than in other employee groups [4].
Solution: It is therefore worth providing management staff with special support in this area. How? For instance, through access to experts (psychologists), as well as courses and apps, a wide range of which is available through the MultiLife benefit.
- Remember to relax
Managers are a professional group that spends far too little time on rest and relaxation [5]. They are professionally prone to what is known as overload. This is a state characterized by, among other things, spending excessive time on work and consciously limiting rest [6].
Solution: Through MultiLife, we gain access to, among other things, courses in mindfulness, yoga or breathing techniques. As well as apps that support consistent progress in this area.
In the US and Europe, more and more companies are offering their employees the opportunity to participate in mindfulness classes as part of their workplace stress prevention programs. This is because mindfulness practice has proven to be an extremely effective method for combating stress.
Why is this so important? It turns out that people who practice mindfulness are better at teamwork, conflict resolution, concentration, communication, and making effective, beneficial decisions [5]. All of these points align with the challenges of modern management mentioned earlier.
- Taking care of your health
Constant exposure to stress is a real curse for management. Especially since tension triggers numerous physical responses. These can include musculoskeletal pain, neck and back pain, or issues like jaw clenching. Experts emphasize that these are just the first and less serious warning signs [5].
Furthermore, managers often experience what is known as "weekend neurosis." This is a state characterized by anxiety and other ailments that strike specifically during time off [5].
This creates a vicious cycle—while relaxation is the cure for stress, such a person is simply unable to achieve it. Ultimately, this can lead to other stress-induced illnesses, most notably cardiovascular problems.
The solution: Of course, prevention is better than cure, but it is also worth providing managers with tools for the latter. The creators of modern benefits have thought about this. Among the services available through MultiLife, you will find, for example: Diagnostics – with useful laboratory test packages – or Telemedi – with the option for quick online medical consultations.
Finally, a piece of advice that may seem obvious but is often forgotten: treat managers like human beings. If we task them with looking after the well-being of employees, we should constantly ask ourselves who is looking after the well-being of this vital pillar of the company. Stress among employees is an increasing problem. Let’s not forget that its levels often rise with every step up the corporate ladder.
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Bibliography:
- https://www.houseofskills.pl/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Polski-menedzer.-Praktyki-wyzwania-rozwoj.-Raport-House-of-Skills.pdf.
- Benefit Systems report "Tired, indifferent, disengaged. Post-pandemic employee needs", 2022.
- https://wartowiedziec.pl/polityka-zdrowotna/66109-who-o-rozwiazywaniu-problemow-ze-zdrowiem-psychicznym-w-pracy.
- https://futureforum.com/research/pulse-report-fall-2022-executives-feel-strain-leading-in-new-normal/ - quoted from: https://businessinsider.com.pl/twoje-pieniadze/praca/twoj-menedzer-jest-jeszcze-bardziej-wypalony-niz-ty/rvgysrg.
- http://mindful.com.pl/artykuly/stres-managera/.
- https://hrstandard.pl/2019/04/17/dlaczego-menadzerowie-ledwo-zyja/.
