As a leader you have planned, strategized and executed numerous tasks to achieve the goals of your team, over the years. All the leadership skills that have been learned, adopted and practiced in good times are challenged during tough times. Suddenly, your entire focus has shifted. The original vision for the organization gets sidelined by the need of the hour. Working from home is the new norm. The goal post has shifted from winning to surviving, and you have to address that immediately.
The American Psychological Association has outlined adaptive leadership skills needed during a crisis.
- Self-care is the first step to crisis management. Acknowledge your own emotional reaction to the crisis. Take time to gain your composure, breathe deeply to destress and feel calm before heading out to reassure others. A reactionary approach does no one any good. Get grounded and centered yourself first before responding mindfully.
- Communicate realistic hope. Expressing empathy for others natural state of anxiety is essential to letting them know they are being heard and seen. Active listening is the first step to open communication. Painting a rosy Pollyanna picture of the future is a disservice. It rings hollow and people see through it. Instead offer a clear and probable way towards a solution, that is realistic not fantastic.
- Be human. Showing vulnerability is a hard test for any leader. If the crisis has caught you off guard, speak from your heart. Indicate that you are open to learning from the experts. You are perceived as credible and trustworthy. Step aside. Let the experts speak to the situation and offer a more reasoned approach that carries weight. You shine as a wise leader when you defer to the ‘ones who know’.
- Be open and candid. To gain trust be as transparent as possible. Withholding information from the public leads to mistrust. Treat the team with respect. They will respect you more. As a leader you are working for the team and with the team. You are in this together.
- Provide open channels of communication, a time and space where there is an exchange of information, thoughts, questions and responses on a regular basis. Make it as frequent and consistent as possible.
- Above all, be a solid, reliable role model. Do what you expect the team members to do. If you want them to change a behavior or adopt a new habit, you want to engage in the same. Set a shining example.
Breathe. You will survive this crisis and help the team to do the same too. Even better, you will come out on the other side with a fresher perspective and stronger leadership qualities than ever before.