Leaders leading leaders: objectivity and respecting the micro-leader
May 4, 2021 | Leaders, Leadership, creative agencies, health communications, leadership development, leadership team, pressure, stress
Passionate leaders go far. But clip their wings, fail to recognise their skills or respect their passions, and you’re set for uproar. Especially with Gen Z now established in the workforce.
In this article we’ll look at:
- Where leadership in comms is today
- How it’s evolving
- What you as a leader can do to keep up with the change and see your agency flourish
Leadership in comms agencies today
Leadership is about maximising the efforts of others towards the achievement of a common goal. But while this definition has stood the test of time, leadership style has changed dramatically.
There’s been a clear shift over the last 20-25 years with a move away from authority and control (and arduous boardroom meetings) towards the much needed, more relaxed approach. We Gen Y’s do love an informal chat.
Today’s agency leaders are often casual, cool-headed, intelligent people with a shared purpose. They collaborate to discuss topics that will help everyone move in the right direction. Together.
But what about the future?
With Gen Z’s now established in entry-level roles – being digital natives, more outspoken and with a very different outlook on what being ‘at work’ means – we’ve already started the next big shift.
Our leaders of tomorrow are here – so take note
While Gen Z’s are more educated and well-behaved than previous generations, they tend to be lonelier, more stressed and more depressed.[1] Mental ill-health is a rising concern and set to grow further due to the specific needs of our newest workforce members.
On top of this, there are the ‘business-as-usual’ pressures of agency life. High staff turn-over, client and brief unpredictability and the practical pressures of continual change across digital, social and traditional channels, to name a few. And then there’s the pressure brought on by how we, as comms folk, deal with this change.
All this can cause stress and pressure that can travel through a business in no time, affecting individuals, teams or whole agencies. (Read more here).
Addressing these ever-evolving issues is the biggest challenge that faces agency leadership teams.
And the answer, we believe, lies in objectivity and respect.
Rapid change highlights the importance of people-led leadership
Chances are you’ve already had to rethink some leadership strategies to address new-found pressures on your team due to COVID-19. In many ways it’s acted as a catalyst for inevitable structural and organisational change.
But if you think you’ve ticked the box, think again. You may have stuck a suitably-sized plaster on the wound for now but that doesn’t mean it is healing. Be careful not to reveal the wound too soon – employee wellbeing and ‘cultural health’ need long-term maintenance.
Here’s why:
- We live in a ‘traumatised’ world and trauma cannot be fixed quickly. You only have to look around to see it and, as with a traumatised individual, there’s no overnight solution. By accepting this you’ll be of the right mindset to improve your agency’s cultural health, but it will still take commitment.
- Change happens swiftly in comms and to keep up you must adapt. Current perspectives and situations are often old before they’re new, but by creating a culture of change you and your workforce will be able to manage the associated pressure effectively. (Read more here.)
Prioritise cultural health in your organisation
Keeping cultural health top and centre to your leadership discussions is paramount, and it requires objectivity…
- Leadership teams don’t know all the answers: As we become more senior and set in our ways objectivity often takes a hit. So include different people to normal in your discussions, get some ad hoc feedback. Chances are you already have a good idea what your senior peers will say, and by listening to the views of others you’re automatically a more open-minded leader.
- All individuals have equally valid insight: Don’t forget your newest workforce members. Ask for fresh insights and opinions, ask your entry-level staff what they want, think and feel. Everyone’s views are important and by appreciating this you’ll receive open and honest insights you can act on quickly, with confidence.
- All insights can be considered objectively: You might be leading but that doesn’t make you the decision maker. The best leaders are excellent at interpreting what the insights have told them, reaching a consensus with the team, and then being confident mouthpieces. They are objective decision navigators.
Encourage the budding micro-leaders
To truly evolve team dynamics to meet the changing world and appease the Gen Z workforce, remember, the view of a newly recruited 21-year-old is as valuable as that of the MD who’s been in post for 21 years. Anyone, at any level, can provide objectivity and perspective, giving insights that bear a part in how decisions should be made. We’re all micro-leaders in something.
By recognising the unique skills, experiences and perspectives of Gen Z now, respecting their views and considering their ideas objectively, they’ll build confidence, learn to fly and become the passionate leaders of tomorrow. You’ll see improved respect for your company values, commitment and a happy team.
At fox&cat we’ll help you take an objective approach to leadership, so you’ll see how to make the right decisions under pressure. We do this using our adaptTM framework which allows us to assess objectively what’s causing pressure in your agency.
Then, through programming across our client service, training, leadership and wellbeing workstreams, we’ll help you manage the pressure of agency life. Holistically and for the long term. There’s more information on our website.
Fox&cat works with brave, forward-thinking agencies who accept that things aren’t perfect and never will be. With those who want to make positive and lasting change. And with those who aren’t afraid to tackle pressure as a holistic issue. If that’s you do get in touch.
[1] The Economist. Generation Z is stressed, depressed and exam-obsessed. Cited at: www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2019/02/27/generation-z-is-stressed-depressed-and-exam-obsessed [Last Accessed: April 2021]
This content was provided by Fox&Cat
Company Details
Latest Content from Fox&Cat
Addressing the Mental Health Strain in Communications
As stress and burnout rise across UK communications, Fox&Cat’s Under the Tree sessions—now evolved into Minds on Matters—show how structured, skills-based support can reduce pressure and rebuild healthier working habits.
Putting the Best Minds on the Hardest Matters
Mental wellbeing is a defining challenge in health communications. High workloads, constant connectivity and leadership gaps are driving widespread burnout, with serious impacts on creativity, productivity and retention. Minds on...
From Burnout to Balance: New Campaign Focuses on the ‘Matters’ that are Really Affecting Our ‘Minds’ in Health Communications
Launched on World Mental Health Day, Minds on Matters aims to highlight mental wellbeing challenges while showcasing practical solutions and positive change
Why Health Comms Teams Can’t Afford to Skip the Mid-Year Review
New McKinsey and Gartner data show that organisations who regularly reset strategy can outperform peers by up to 60%. In fast-moving health communications, the mid-year review is a crucial but...
Why Generic Pharma Companies Need a Comms Partner That Thinks & Works Like They Do
Generics account for 81% of U.K. primary care prescriptions but just 28% of NHS medicines spending, delivering significant value under growing financial pressures. However, persistent pricing challenges and supply chain...
Beyond The Hype: What AI Really Means For Health Communications
While AI is reshaping frontline healthcare at pace—spotting cancers, triaging patients, and summarising records—its uptake in health communications remains tentative. Agencies are experimenting behind the scenes, but real integration is...
From Noise to Impact: Why Simplicity Is The Health Communicator’s Most Powerful Tool
Clear health communication has never been more critical, as shown by the 2025 surge in ADHD self-diagnoses in the UK, driven by misleading social media content. In a noisy, fast-paced...
The Cat’s Out of the Bag… Kim Walker, ex-GCI Health, Joins Fox&Cat as Partner and Managing Director
Fox&Cat appoints Kim Walker as Partner and Managing Director, bringing leadership strength and operational focus to the agency. Her arrival enhances Fox&Cat’s ADAPT™ methodology and consultancy model, reinforcing its commitment...
Fox&Cat Relaunches With An Industry-First Efficiency & Effectiveness Planning Framework, ADAPTTM
F&C network team picture, March 2024 Fox&Cat relaunches today with its new people-first, senior consultant operating model and bespoke planning framework, ADAPTTM. The agency’s lean model...
A new campaign to welcome and celebrate neurodiversity across the UK healthcare communications industry
THINKING DIFFERENT This Neurodiversity Celebration Week (18 to 22 March) the Healthcare Communications Association (HCA), Fox&Cat, and The ADHD Foundation have joined forces to launch a new campaign to help...