Welcome to the new world.
COVID-19 has changed nearly everything in the last couple of weeks: sporting events are canceled, grocery stores are threadbare, schools are on extended closures, gatherings of 50 or more are not recommended, and restaurants, bars, gyms, and other popular hangout spots and events are being closed down.
However, in this vast sea of change, it seems that the only thing that hasn’t changed (yet) is the millions of workers trudging into work, shell-shocked from endless news updates and new CDC guidelines. Businesses are struggling to stay afloat, striving for business-as-usual in a climate that says nothing is normal. And in the middle of everything stands the leader, striving to keep spirits high and productivity as close to normal.
Now, for some leaders, this is a terrifying time, and rightfully so! There is no handbook for dealing with a pandemic at work, so nearly everyone is making it up as they go. However, for the transformational leader, this is the time to shine.
Leading Through Engagement
Transformational leaders are leaders who engage with their followers over simply controlling them. They focus on providing for higher order intrinsic needs by utilizing things employee engagement, vision, mission, and culture to drive results. Transformational leadership is proactive, relational, and communal, and calls for leaders to invest in the success of their people.
If you’ve been doing these things as a leader, you are more than ready to weather the storm. In fact, in times of crisis, the transformational leader has the unique opportunity and platform to make significant progress in their organization. It may not be fully realized until the crisis has been abated, but by doing the following 5 things, you can make an appreciable difference in your organization and for your people:
1. Innovate
There is no better time than now than to try something new. The unprecedented nature of COVID-19 and the response being taken by the government is forcing businesses and organizations to operate in a brand new capacity. Your job as a leader is to relish the opportunity. According to surveys, Millennials, the dominant generation in the workplace, value learning, development, and growth opportunities above all else when it comes to looking for jobs. Assuming you have employees in this range, deploy them to discover new ways of working and thriving in this current crisis. Put everything on the table and work together to discover new, innovative solutions that could be a boon for your organization even past the COVID-19 crisis.
2. Be Transparent
No one knows what will happen. Assuming you haven’t become a pandemic expert in the last few weeks, you don’t know either. And that’s okay. There is a great felt need to always have the answers as a leader. We are afraid that if others think we don’t know what to do or have the best way figured out, we will be thought of as frauds and incompetent. So, we pretend to know, we hide the truth, and we definitely don’t reveal what we truly think. However, research shows that leaders should do exactly the opposite.
According to a recent study, leadership transparency was the top factor in employee happiness and satisfaction. Furthermore, leaders willing to be honest, real, and open are considered by their employees to be more effective and trustworthy. As a leader, it costs you absolutely nothing to be open and honest but can have a profound impact on your team. It’s okay to not know the best answers during this wholly unique time in our world’s history, so admit it. At the very least, your people will trust you more and will help you find a solution together.
3. Over-Communicate
As changing news streams in seemingly minute-by-minute, you cannot communicate enough during this time. Last week, I implored leaders to not under-communicate: now is the time to go all-in with communication. With anxiety riding high, don’t leave your people in the dark. Even if it feels like you’ve said it too many times, say it again. Use transparency as mentioned above and keep your people informed on decisions you are making, ideas you are pondering, and problems you are still faced with.
4. Lean on Mission
Transformational leaders know that they can engage their people with mission. Employees are looking for jobs where they can make a difference, so much so that they’d be willing to sacrifice future earnings to be in a job where they can make adifference. When you have a compelling mission, it can connect employees to the meaning and purpose they crave. In times of crisis, you can draw people to a higher calling via your mission. Talk about your mission in light of ever-evolving COVID-19 situation, drawing eyes, minds, and hearts to an elevated sense of purpose. By tapping into the desire for meaning, you can reinvigorate productivity at work.
5. Cast a greater vision
Partnering with leaning on your mission, now is the time to cast a greater vision. As you innovate, over-communicate with transparency, and lean on your organizational mission, speak to the great hope of the future of your organization. This crisis will not destroy your organization, but make it stronger. All of the work you are doing together as a team right now will serve you well in the future. As the leader, you can use vision to draw people out of the muck and mire of the news cycle and back onto a pathway forward. Fill your downtrodden workplace with hope, vibrancy, determination, and focus by casting a greater, more compelling vision.
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Leaders, you’ve got this. You don’t need to be “perfect,” because no one knows what “perfect” is during this wholly unique time period. Focus on what you can control and care for your people as best you can. Utilize the above 5 things in your leadership and when this is all over, your organization, team, and even yourself will be better for it.
If I can help you process any leadership questions or issues during this trying time, please let me know. I’d love to dialogue with you to come up with solutions, be a listening ear, or simply provide encouragement in what you are facing. You can contact me anytime at steve@ottlead.com