● Put Your Best Thoughts Forward
● Coach Support
● Be Specific in Communication Motivation is no small thing.
It’s an achievement during the good times. During the hard times, it gets even harder. The COVID-19 crisis has tested what the best leaders have to offer. Some have been able to reroute and are now working virtually. Others are working on the front lines in person. Wherever and however you work, leadership matters.
Leadership is what keeps teams together in times of crisis. It’s how people overcome the odds. It’s how they achieve things they didn’t think were possible as a group.
The Effects on Business
COVID-19 has taken a toll on businesses of every size. Many are closing, but many will also weather this storm. For those who are open, business has been much slower than usual.
Confusion
One of the worst things that has come to businesses in the crisis is confusion. People don’t understand exactly how they will make it through this. Will the business be the same? How much will it have to adjust? Will things return to normal?
A Slowdown
For many people, business simply will not go back to normal. Things are slowing down. They will stay slow for a long time. It’s hard for employers to keep people on payroll. They have to make painful cuts.
Fear
A great many people are worried about their job security. The fear that they are experiencing can cause people to get stuck in a rut. Their sense of normalcy has been destroyed. They are distracted and worried. Their job performance can suffer.
What Leaders Can Do
Thought Is Power
Your ability to empower your team is directly related to how much thought leadership you can display. Bring your A-game every day when it comes to thought leadership. Your employees are relying on you for direction in action and attitude.
Make sure you send them in the right direction.
Be Honest
Honesty is brutally hard during times like this. It’s hard to deal with realities of lower income, layoffs, and performance issues. What you can be honest about without getting your team down is the true positives.
You might have to look hard. But celebrate the everyday victories. Remember that if you’re having a hard time, so are they. Tell the truth about the good things you see, and open their eyes.
Be Empathetic
Empathy is a prized characteristic. But we don’t always coach it in leaders. During times like this, you may have to brush off some skills you aren’t used to using.
People normally look to leadership to manage things. They know that leadership is looking for achievement. But when things get this bad for people’s health, they are looking for emotional intelligence as well. Realize that people are struggling.
When you show empathy, you are encouraging your team to have some as well. Act with character and kindness. You want your team to have a great example to learn from.
Coach Support
Help your team help themselves. Teams can get into downward spirals without leadership that coaches support. It’s important that your team members look out for one another.
Set a good example. But also reward when other people step up to the plate. A great coach notices people’s small achievements as well as their large ones.
Be the Best Communicator on the Team
You have the power to change your team’s communication style. Everything doesn’t have to be sugar and spice. Clear, concise, and actionable communication is also supportive of people’s well being. They are confused during this time. They can’t guess very much about what’s next.
When you lead with great communication, you make everyone’s job easier. They will have more energy to support and cheer each other on during this crisis. They will also have actionable steps to succeed with.