Weāre not managing like we used to, and thank goodness for that. The days of managers just sitting back giving orders or watching people from their office window are long gone (or at least they should be). Today, leadership means showing up for your team, not just assigning tasks. In this new hybrid and fast-changing world of work, employees donāt need someone hovering over them. They need someone who will actually support them.
This shift didnāt just happen because of the pandemic, itās been building for years. People want to feel like they matter at work. They want to grow, not just get through the week. They want their manager to know them as a human being, not just an employee number or someone to cover a shift. Iāve seen it firsthand in every HR role Iāve ever had: when employees feel seen and supported, they stay, they thrive, and they give their best.
Thatās why being a coach, not just a supervisor, is the way forward. Coaching isnāt about solving every problem or always having the right answer. Itās about listening. Itās about checking in and asking the right questions. And especially with remote and hybrid teams, we have to be intentional. We canāt just assume everythingās fine if weāre not seeing someone face to face. Weāve got to ask, āHow are you doing? What do you need?ā And mean it.
And letās talk about mentorship for a minute. Our people are looking for purpose and direction. They want to know how they can move forward. Theyāre thinking about whatās next. But how can we support them if we donāt even know what theyāre aiming for? Thatās where real mentorship comes in, when we take the time to learn about their goals and help them create a path.
Hereās something personal I always share in my trainings: Iāve been in HR for 30 years, and not once, not one single time, did a manager in corporate America ever sit down and ask me, āElga, what are your goals? What are your dreams for the next 1, 3, 5, 7, or 10 years? What are you doing to accomplish them, and how can I help?ā I wish someone wouldāve asked. I really do. It wouldāve meant the world to hear, āI see you. I want to help you. Hereās what I can do: A, B, C, D.ā That never happened. And because of that, I made it my mission to teach others to be the kind of leader I never had. Letās not be afraid to ask. Letās get involved in our peopleās lives, not to control, but to care.
Leadership today is about showing heart, not just holding power. The best managers are the ones who lift people up, not micromanage them down. If we want to build stronger teams and better workplaces, it starts with being present, being curious, and being human. Thatās the kind of leadership we need more of, not just now, but always.
Elga Lejarza
Founder & CEO
