The fear of losing control
One of the reasons for companies being so apprehensive about online training is rooted in the same concern that we experienced eight months ago, when our people were suddenly forced to reside in their home offices: The notorious fear of losing control…
Over the last half century, efficiency has been so ingrained in our management style that we as managers find it hard to believe that our employees will perform without our close oversight. Yes, there are some people who do not function properly without our ‘tight reins’, but this could well be the result of our own leadership style. Maybe we have not trusted them or have not offered them enough space to try things out on their own. It could also be that we have not given our so-called ‘low performers’ the relevant guidance, correction, and empathic confrontation, when it was needed.
Our present concern about online learning could also be the result of an outmoded leadership mindset and management style, currently expressing itself to us through the constant vicious circles of thought that are based on internal arguments weighing pros and cons. This mindset can only leave us paralysed in making sound decisions.
Adopting a modern leadership mindset
A proper – and thoroughly convincing – decision to run online training for those working from home is clearly not made on its own but as a result of adopting the modern leadership mindset necessary and suitable for this age and time.
I know the business managers of today are all experienced champions in delivering services and products and continue to do so in spite of the present difficult circumstances. Most companies have done this successfully over the last 50 years and some for much longer than that. They have been doing an excellent job, and we can indeed be immensely proud of their past performance and results.
This being said, we should not miss one important point! Are we aware that, in the future, how we deliver these services and products will be as important as the delivery itself? Times are changing, and customers and employees are receiving various up-to-date impulses and having new insights. Their preferences are changing, and their needs are greater than ever before.