Five Key Themes for 2015 – dialogue trend predictions
Happy New Year and welcome to the joy ride of 2015. Everyone is making predictions so we’re jumping in and having our say – what is New Year without a few sage-like wisdoms thrown to the wind? This year promises to be one of continuing changes, so step up to the plate and master the trends.
‘Connect, Change, Communicate’ has long been one of our slogans and 2015 requires that we apply these qualities vigorously as we dance with the following five themes:
1. Flexibility
Bend and stretch more than just your body as the world demands flexibility. On the go, with mobile in hand, the mountain will need to go to Mohammed as the individual becomes less inclined to be limited by rigid structures. Virtual realities, flexible working structures, shared accessibility, non-hierarchical collaboration, job sharing, flexi-time, variety, multi-skilling, non-local teams – you name it, it’s only just begun.
2. Consultation
Consultants may be getting flack in terms of their impact on the budget, but outsourcing is the way of the future. Hiring skills as-and-when you need them is the way to go. Global talent is more readily available than ever before. It makes no sense to employ full time specialists if you can mix and match a unique combination of skills and expertise on a project basis.
3. Collaboration
The word on everyone’s lip and the great interpersonal challenge for those that are used to autocratic decision making and/or silo-ed tasks. If you take one word from this list, collaboration should be that word. People are talking, information is re-shaping itself and solutions require innovation. There is no getting around it - we can neither go it alone, do it all, nor expect our old teams to come up with new tricks unless we shuffle the methodology a little. Old and new, young and old, male and female, boss and junior, technological and humanistic – the future lies in the wisdoms of all, together.
4. Personal Power
None of the above trends can hold any meaningful relevance without authentic individuals working from their personal power. It’s becoming vital that individuals learn how to hold their space and use their power in a constructive way. Everything is moving too fast for old baggage, bad behaviour and misguided immaturity. 2015 requires people with inner stability and personal awareness.
5. Deep Change
The real reason the above themes apply is that we are in the process of deep change on so many levels. These are not just catch phrases and new jargon. A great unlearning is required: old mind-sets, paradigms and habits are still getting in the way of precise, effective, future-wise performance. Results will move into gear as people and organisations learn that the slogans have responsibility and impact and we need deep change to be successful.
May this year be inspiring, exciting and rewarding.
We look forward to the journey!