As 2023 nears, I find myself reflecting on a great year of company achievements, amazing employees, technological advancements in the medical field, and growth within our healthcare businesses across RX Medical. One thing’s for sure, we would not be where we are celebrating another year of success if we were not collectively flexible and open to change as an organization. If resilience and a willingness to pivot (as needed) are helpful practices, what other core values can equip leaders for continued success in the New Year?

Most would agree that dated mindsets and traditional hierarchical structures are melting away as new leaders are learning to be bold and break “old rules” (belief systems of yesteryear). Opaque managers of the past are called to task to be more transparent as employees everywhere, across all industries and titles, seek leaders who are brave enough to move beyond dated playbooks. Those willing to collaborate and lead by example to stay ahead of the competition continue to win in business today.

New leaders don’t always follow traditional rules of business in today’s world of work. In short, they must evolve and trust their instincts says Jackie Fast, leadership expert and author of the book, Rule Breaker. She shares how leaders – and leadership core values – are changing at a rapid pace. Fast challenges leaders to join the frontline to pave the way for new ideas to emerge.

As “Old Management Rules” Change so do Core Values: 2 Examples

POSITIVE CHANGE: A core leadership value in Fast’s book includes considering ways to make even more positive changes in your workplace to accommodate tomorrow’s workforce. Studies show that within four years, 75% of the world’s workers will be millennials – a generation vocal about wanting to make a difference in the world. Their goals are influencing decisions about where (and with whom) they want to work. For organizations seeking top talent, creating a culture that aligns with changing times can also be an attractive recruitment tool.

FLEXIBILITY IN THE WORKPLACE: Another core leadership value highlighted in Fast’s book includes flexibility. With technology and connectivity, it is possible for people to work all day, every day but leaders who demonstrate how to deliberately separate work from their non-work life are empowering employees with useful practices to avoid burnout. The old rules for success required spending more time in the office to “win”. The new rules have shifted to focus on increasing productivity by taking advantage of greater flexibility in terms of work schedules and even locations. Flexibility has yielded positive results for many companies and leaders since the COVID pandemic began. Leaders willing to throw away dated playbooks, encourage a bit of rebelliousness and those who are open to adopting a spirit of curiosity are embracing disruption and changing the definition of business success.

From Steve Jobs who demonstrated the benefits of “walking meetings” to Jeff Weiner scheduling “thinking time” into his day, integrating work and life for optimal returns is often at the top of the priority list for many professionals. What was once referred to as a balancing act (work and life) are no longer “acts” but requirements for fostering a workplace driven by success.

Leadership Challenge: What other leadership core values have you leveraged to find success in your business? Please share examples in my comments section.

Brandon Rouse leads a diverse and growing team of professionals well-versed in the challenges facing healthcare today. Headquartered in Oklahoma City, OK, Brandon’s experienced team represents various technological and innovative medical solutions. ZB RX Medical and RX Medical are direct distributors of Zimmer Biomet.