CASE STUDY Case Study: Redefining Leadership in a Post-Pandemic World As SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) gradually spread across the globe, it highlighted the importance of the role of leadership in society. At international, national and community levels, leaders across all sectors have been required to respond to both direct and indirect effects of this crisis, with little time for preparation, and in a constantly changing environment. Managers had the challenge of reinventing the workplace to address new realities created, or exacerbated, by the pandemic. As companies scrambled to go digital and shift to hybrid or remote working, a redefined way of working was ushered in, of necessity. Prior to the onset of the pandemic, prevailing corporate belief was that corporate offices situated in prime real estate areas with open-plan designs were key to employee engagement, retention and productivity. This belief was debunked by several studies which found that most employees not only felt that their productivity increased through remote working, but they have an interest in maintaining some form of remote work once the pandemic recedes. They have since continued to prove that remote working is not only welcome, but possible and does not negatively impact productivity. What is also clear, however, is that some level of presence at the office is required to enhance team collaboration, creativity and social well-being. This moment of reinvention has fostered an opportunity for leaders to create fairer, more inclusive, more equitable places of work. The COVID-19 has prompted commitments from some employers to focus on the workforce. More attention is being placed on well-being, reducing time staff spend in the office to less than 50%, talking openly about empathy and openly discussing challenges women face (including their role as working parents). It is evident that the world will now need leaders who can create long-lasting impact and drive positive change across the globe. Being proactive and prepared and using innovation, decisiveness, collaboration and transparency are among qualities that define truly great leadership that the world now needs.

Highlight TWO (2) emerging trends that are likely to be the focus of leaders in a post pandemic world.

Use information from the case to support your answer