With the recent outbreak, many customs have changed--such as 79% of people who work with knowledge prefer locations they can be flexible in, and 94% want timings they can adjust. Although this shows that most employees remote or hybrid teams are willing to communicate and be productive, it still takes effort from leaders to make sure everything runs smoothly.

In fact, employee perception of executive leadership has worsened over the past two years. While 81% of executives say their company’s leadership is transparent about sharing new developments that affect the company, only 58% of employees agree with this sentiment.

As organizations embrace collaborative leadership, executives will need new management models that depart from a command-and-control style of management. Instead, our next ways of working should be founded on flexibility and transparency. And the first step in this process is to accept collaborative leadership.

A leadership style that emphasizes collaboration and teamwork.

Collaborative leadership entails bringing people from all levels of the company together. Information is openly shared in collaborative workplaces. In contrast to conventional, top-down leadership, which limits information flow for the rest of the business, it sits in opposition.

Leaders who take a collaborative approach will seek out a variety of viewpoints and ideas from their colleagues in order to make decisions and solve problems. Employees feel more valued and trusted, and a workplace culture emerges that encourages teams, allows creativity, productivity, and joy. Here's how corporate executives may get started.

1. Encourage communication

The creation of transparency and the exchange of ideas has had to been adjusted due to remote work. With teams using communication platforms that allow them to work asynchronously, it is crucial to have an environment that promotes open and inclusive communication. Team communication is incomplete without open communication, which implies that all team members feel welcome to express their views and add their expertise to a project. It also entails communicating openly, so that all team members are kept informed about where a project, task, or decision is headed.

2. Create clarity and purpose  

Managers should prioritize providing clarity and purpose for their workers, using methods such as: 

• Show each individual how their job contributes to overall organizational objectives.
• Establish norms and agreements so that everyone is in the same boat regarding team operation.
• Make sure everyone understands who does what on the team.
• Create clarity around working hours and meeting durations, especially for those leading dispersed teams.

3. Be vulnerable 

It is not easy for leaders to be vulnerable, but it is critical for instilling a sense of teamwork and trust. Managers who are open and vulnerable at home tend to have more satisfied employees that go above and beyond at work, according to research. A few ways executives can increase transparency with their employees are as follows:

• 1. Share more personal information and feelings about work-life and current events then encourage employees to do the same.
• 2. Demonstrate interest in team members beyond just their professional lives at work.
• 3.(Make it clear that) They're okay talking about emotions and interpersonal challenges-- this way, staff will feel more comfortable discussing these topics too.

4. Allow employees to concentrate on collaboration by creating time for them to do so.

If they perceive collaboration to need too many extra steps or add time to their already hectic schedules, executives and employees will be less inclined to embrace it in the workplace. Instead of focusing on collaboration, companies should look at the long-term picture and figure out which activities and processes may be automated, allowing teams to focus on collaborating.

Reducing distractions and improving focus is another way to improve performance. This can be as basic as integrating apps or eliminating needless procedures. Teams may devote more time on the collaborative effort that adds value to the business by using software and technologies that automate activities.

5. Develop the skills necessary to be a strong partner.

If businesses hope to build teamwork skills, they should start by developing partnerships between employees. It's key to remember that everyone will have a different experience, and all experiences are valid. If executives want their employees to feel comfortable coming to them with problems, they need act like partners instead of bossy figures who make people feel uneasy about bringing up issues. Otherwise, the partnership--and trust--will be gone."

Collaborative leadership is a must for organizations that want to make the transition from physical to digital work.

As more companies allow their employees to work from anywhere, leadership needs to adapt by being available digitally for social interactions and work-related tasks, regardless of location.A top-down leadership style isn't as effective as it used to be. Instead, leaders should inspire their teams to find new and creative ways of working together. This results in a happier and more engaged team that is also productive and joyful.

It's time for businesses to start adapting and implementing collaborative leadership methods to improve communication and teamwork within their organizations. By allowing employees to work from anywhere, companies are opening themselves up to new opportunities for innovation and growth. However, this transition cannot be successful without leaders who are willing to change their style of management and lead their teams in a more collaborative manner.

If you're looking for ways to improve collaboration and teamwork within your organization, start by implementing the tips mentioned in this article. It won't be easy, but the benefits of doing so are worth it. So, get started today and see how your team can excel with the help of collaborative leadership!