Often, we hear people say that headlines make trends hard to understand. One headline pitches a view, then another headline pitches an opposite view.  Leaders become confused.

This podcast explains how leaders can move beyond headlines to really understand trends, so they can undertake successful scenario development and make smarter investments.  Focusing on how employees are working, we can see that hybrid work from home is going to be a permanent fixture.  Less office space is needed, and employers can move now to save costs, while simultaneously making employees happier.  Investing in work from home will pay off, but investing in facilities will not.  Also, you have to avoid fads that are nearly always a waste of money – like NFTs!!!

But beyond investing money, how leaders invest their time and alter their decision-making practices will play a key determinant in success.  If you have proximity bias you will favor employees in the office vs. those that digitally commute, leading to poorer inputs and poorer decisions.  Leaders have to adjust their styles as trends cause markets to move if they are going to be successful.

Thinking Points –

• Do you engage people with differing viewpoints in discussions, or do you try to include those who will reach a consensus easily?
• Do you make decisions on your personal preferences, or using trends to connect with where markets are headed?
• Do you “trust your gut” or do you get the data and involve the most people to make good decisions?
• Do you leap from headline to headline, or do you dig into the stories and data to understand what’s really happening?

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