Leading Through Crisis (Part2)
Leading Through Crisis
Part Two
Previously in part one, we shared our Leadership Cares checklist with you to better prepare you to lead through crises like we’re facing with COVID-19.
We wanted to keep the momentum going with some additional tools you can use with your teams to better manage this incredible change we’re experiencing as a global community. The third part of this series will focus on the road ahead (we will get through this!) and how we can prepare for lasting changes that emerge from this trial we’ve endured.
Here are a few more tactical ways you can keep your people healthy and engaged. Let’s not just survive this crisis. With the right actions we can thrive through it.
Buddy System
This one is kind of old school, but it’s a great way to help associates take care of each other, provide one another sounding boards and to encourage daily check-ins.
Your team members will feel less isolated and it will promote stronger relationships emerging from this crisis as we get back to business as usual.
Make It Personal
Bringing personal challenges to your leadership meetings doesn’t make you weak or more vulnerable, it makes you real. When we open up to one another and move past the small talk, we can foster true dialogue and help carry the burdens we all feel together.
Set the example by starting off a team meeting with a quick anecdote of one thing you’re struggling with and how you overcame it!
Get Philanthropic
In times of trouble, it is a proven that the more we help others, the more happiness we will feel. Even if you’re not able to donate your time or your services or discount your rates, consider encouraging your teams to volunteer on a local level. Grocery shopping for the elderly or running necessary errands for those who can’t get outside are simple ways to give back to our local community.
Promote Physical and Mental Health
Build time into your daily touch-bases and meetings for a mental break and encourage folks to get outside and exercise. We’ve long known of the link between productivity and fitness and now more than ever we need to stand up, stretch, and move around at distinct times during the day.
Consider having a walking meeting, virtually. Or convene as a team remotely at the parks that remain open and talk while walking (safely of course).
Understand that people are going through additional stress personally and offer help where needed. Look at your employees as people first: this is the time to be sympathetic/empathetic to each of our situations.
Beth Thomas
CEO
About the Author: Beth Thomas
As CEO of Change 4 Growth, the best-selling author of POWERED BY HAPPY and a frequent global motivational and keynote speaker on topics such as Leading Change, Culture Alignment/Powered by Happy and Women in Leadership, Beth Thomas is truly enjoying growing the organization she started in 2017 after 12 successful years building a consulting practice for another organization and then purchasing it in 2017. She has over 25 years of experience specializing in Transformational Business Change & Readiness, Leadership, Learning & Development, Culture Shaping and Employee Engagement.