03/05/2020
Letâs be honest: No one was prepared for this.
Sure, plenty of people and organizations had built up substantial savings, or even set themselves up with disaster and safety kits for dealing with global crises...
But the specific cultural and social symptoms of coronavirusâlong-term isolation, the failure of some industries or the success of others, health and wellness challengesâare too much for anyone to carry on a life of total normalcy.
And that lack of normalcy is exactly why we need strong leaders more than ever. Youâve heard the quote, âwhen the going gets tough, the tough get going,â right? You may have fear, doubt, and confusion at times, but if youâre a leader planning to help others through this, youâll persevere.
1. Draw a plan
Always have a plan. Start very small if you have to. Make a plan for the next few days and assign your team tasks with reasonable goals.
Be willing to go back to basicsâremember when you were striving to make that first sale or get that first customer? Start there. When you hit that first landmark, ask yourself what needed to be done differently to get there. Then, how can you scale that change?
2. Be compassionate
Keep compassion at the core of all you do. We need it more than ever, as no one really knows what could happen next with their health or their family. And even fewer know how to react when something does happen to them.
Be more transparent than ever, and be ready to listen at all times. Maybe they have a loved one whoâs suffering, or maybe the isolation is taking a toll on their mental health.
A lot of the time, these things are hard to talk about, so be proactive in seeking out those who are having trouble.
3. Celebrate people
Celebrate all the wins, big and small. Celebrate your people publicly when itâs appropriate. Motivation is harder than ever to come by in times like this, so hand it out often.
Remember, itâs ok to be scared and unsure as a leader. Overconfidence in such uncertain times can even be deadly! Just spread positivity to those around you and be compassionate, and youâll find great returns even well after the pandemic ends.Cheers, Igbokwe @ Festac Town, Lagos