Get Comfortable With Being Uncomfortable

Embrace Change: Key Business Trends for 2022

Former World Rugby 7s Player of the Year, and England Captain Ollie Phillips, who now runs Optimist Performance, shares his thoughts on the key business trends that leaders HAVE to consider for 2022.

As 2021 is coming to an end, it’s time we start looking forward to what 2022 has to offer. Surely it has to be better?!

After the tumultuous time we have had, and are still having, through the pandemic, global warming, and political change, 2022 might just be a time to use the uncertainty of previous years and turn it into growth and change.

I have recently been giving some thought to what this change might look like in 2022 from a business landscape, and believe that there are three imperatives that all leaders have to consider moving into the new year.

It’s all about the space

An obvious theme we are seeing is how the COVID-19 pandemic has changed our behaviours around one another.

We have developed new considerations for people’s boundaries as we have begun learning to reintegrate into society again. We have new perspectives on personal space as we have lived with regulations for so long. While for some being together again may feel strange, for others, it will be a relief to be together again.

Of course, the PM’s latest work from home order has put a stop on offices opening up again, it’s only short-term to see us through the festive period, I suspect.

New trends for leaders to look out for will be based around respecting each other and their boundaries as we rebuild businesses back.

Reintegration into social spaces will look different for everyone and we must learn to respect this difference to rebuild in the most successful way. Many of us will revel in the joy of being together again, but now it will come with a newfound appreciation and respect we have for each other.

Authentic leadership

Trust is a big issue we have all had in the last few years. We have lost trust in our leaders and science as we grabble with the changing political climate. We have all struggled with understanding what may be true or untrue.

Many will want to go into the new year with a desire to re-evaluate their trust in leadership and the information they read. Learning to be your authentic self is an essential step to learning how to trust again.

As leaders learn to see true authenticity in themselves, they will attract others to think likewise. Surrounding yourself with those you see positively and authentically will give you a strong foundation to trust leadership and others around you.

The planet

Finally, we can’t talk about next year without talking about climate change. With so much uncertainty about the future of the environment, many people will have to learn to be more conscientious consumers.

We will have to rethink how we run our businesses and live our everyday lives to become more sustainable. For many, this will be an uncomfortable thought as it comes with a lot of change. However, it will be especially important for leaders of the business world to get comfortable with being uncomfortable as it will become inevitable for them to make these changes. embracing the diverse thoughts of others will be key for leaders to tackle the issues.

With a problem as large as climate change it is important that leaders give everyone a chance to help make a shift to a more conscientious lifestyle.

As the new year approaches, now is a great time to start afresh. While the previous years have come with great difficulty for many people, it has also given us the opportunity for growth. In 2022, I am confident we will push through the challenges of COVID, learn to live with it better and we will be able to continue this growth and push for changes that will enhance the way we run businesses and live our lives for the better.