Leadership Survival Tips For Challenging Times
We find ourselves in extraordinary times. Leaders are working overtime developing and executing emergency strategies. Here are a few suggestions based on our research and expertise and specifically important tips during these hyper-stressful times:
Be mindful of communication more than ever. Stick to the facts. If you have developed high trust then try to include empathy and optimism in your language. If organizational trust is below average then stick to the facts and site the resources where you are getting your information. If trust is low, don’t talk about a future you are uncertain about. It will only damage trust further.
Identify the “Best Behaviours” required to get through this period of time. The small but important actions that will have the largest impact. Clearly communicate what they are, what they will look like, and why they matter to the organization, your customers and your employees. Be explicit and include the “why”. Examples: 1) “We need to be doing “X, Y, and Z” because it will matter in “A, B, and C” ways to you, our customers, and our long term health". 2) 'Please take time to praise each other when you see X, Y, and Z behaviours because they are critically important right now and we need to reinforce them as we develop new habits to get through this situation together and healthy."
Make sure people feel important right now. They need to know that their time and risk is worthwhile. DO NOT TAKE THIS FOR GRANTED. Leverage their self-efficacy wherever possible. Ask if anyone has hidden strengths that you aren't aware of. When you dial down your available resources you cannot afford to let talent sit idle. This also increases the probability that people will feel valuable and valued. This is a critical psychological component right now. Do not generalize praise, be specific with your praise and ensure all managers and leaders are doing the same.
Lastly, Take care of each other on your leadership teams. You are all burning the candle at both ends and dealing with difficult decision making. Ensure that each of you is self-monitoring physical and emotional stress levels. This is a critical period of time when you need to “put on your own oxygen mask first”. You need to be healthy for your teams and your families. Negative stress runs down our immune system and you can’t afford to get sick right now. In this specific emergency, you can not compromise your resilience by running down your immune system.
Be safe. Be mindful. Put people at the centre of your decision making. Be kind to yourself along the way. Please reach out if there is any way I can support you.
Jim Moss - Chief Happiness Officer