According to Webster’s Dictionary, a leader is a powerful person who controls or influences what other people do. Leading and navigating an organization through a challenge such as 2020 is unimaginable. Being a leader is already hard, and to add a now nine-month-long pandemic on top of that makes it even worse. How do you tell those around you that everything is going to be okay when you are not 100% sure? In the face of uncertainty, our instinct is to worry. However, there are a few ways you can continue to lead greatly through this year and into the unknown.
Communicate and Be Transparent
With a pandemic, the media is constantly sharing the latest economic updates and industry news. In such an environment, the best way to ensure continuous productivity and trust within your team is to stay in constant communication while also being transparent. Being direct and honest with every detail could make or break your team’s effectiveness. Share the good and the bad. Celebrate successes and discuss failures. We are all in this together.
Take Care of Each Other
It is important that in a time of unknowns, each person’s wellbeing is prioritized above anything else. The crisis has caused disruptions for people financially, socially, in safety, in health, and in other ways as well. Some of the emotion, anxiety, and stress that has come from these uncertain past nine months has caused exhaustion and, in some cases, affected performance. It is important to have a subtle understanding for everyone in the office during times such as these.
Look Forward, Not Backward
The pandemic will pass. Life will return to normal, even if it is a new normal. A good leader will look ahead to a hopeful future. In doing so, you will inspire your employees. You will inspire them to understand that you can only control your purpose, your values, and how you respond in times of crisis. As former FDA head Scott Gottlieb said, “This is a hard moment—but it is a brief moment in our history.”
If you are considering a career move, the award-winning recruiters at ThinkingAhead Executive Search want to help you find the perfect fit for your lifestyle and professional goals, even in times of uncertainty. Connect with a ThinkingAhead recruiter today by visiting www.thinkingahead.com.
