The COVID-19 outbreak of 2020 has brought with it unprecedented challenges for business leaders. Even the strongest leaders among us have been pushed out of their comfort zones and into a new and ever-evolving landscape. We could never have planned for something like this, but we can rise to the occasion. On a personal note, I wanted to wish all of my readers the best. I hope you are coping well, finding solutions to tough problems and, most importantly, healthy and safe. These tips have been compiled to help you deal in this tough time, and, of course, I am here for you should you need my assistance.
Leadership Tips For The Pandemic
Being Decisive Even When It’s Tough.
Business leaders have been forced to make tough choices, perhaps some of the toughest of their careers. For those who had a choice (i.e., the federal, state and local government did not mandate it) to stay open and take a risk or shut down and force employees to forego their place of employment, decisive leadership was needed more than ever before. The safety of your employees, your customers and the community at large is of the utmost concern at this time. More tough decisions will likely face us as leaders, such as when to reopen, at what scale to hold onto social distancing and what financially the business can handle as this situation drags out. Weighing the options and making tough decisions is the flex for true leadership.
Leadership in Action Example: Way back on March 11, Adam Silver, the commissioner of the National Basketball Association (NBA), took the then-surprising step of suspending the league’s season. Silver’s decision was one of the earliest high-profile responses to the virus situation in the United States, now heralded a wise and decisive move.
Communicating Like A Boss.
Clear, transparent and authentic leadership is the name of the game right now. Small and mid-size businesses are ramping up their communication strategies to keep their team members in-the-know, even if there is no change to report or tons of uncertainty to mitigate against. A simple statement of support and concern goes far. Now is the time to put your name, your face, your voice in front of your employees, your customers and your shareholders on a regular basis. Email, social media, virtual meetings and website updates should all be a part of your communication rollout.
Leadership in Action Example: Cisco Systems, Chuck Robbins, wanted to get in touch with his staff even though he had been forced to put distance between them. He wanted to provide reassurance and nurture the need for human connection. During the pandemic period, he has been leading weekly all-company videoconferences from his home near San Francisco. He has even tapped medical professionals to join the calls and help answer his staffs’ coronavirus-related questions.
Keeping It Human.
For the first time in most of our lifetimes, we are facing a situation that puts us all in the same boat. The untouchable industries, the blue chip brands, the scrappy startups – as businesses we are all faced with some level of fallout from this crisis. Putting on a brave face is a natural tendency for a leader, and it has its place for sure. But, it’s okay to show fear, show love and show your vulnerability. In fact, showing that you are human is something your workforce, your customers and your stakeholders may crave more than ever before.
Leadership in Action Example: If there was an award for being human during tough times, it might go to Arne Sorenson, CEO of Marriott International, who choked back the tears and displayed his lack of hair due to his fight against cancer and told his team via video conference. “I have never had a more difficult moment than this one.” The drop in hotel bookings caused by the virus has the worst in Marriott’s history, causing a wave of layoffs. Sorenson announced that he would forfeit his salary and other executives would take a 50% pay cut during this period.
Build Meaning.
Things are deep right now. We are all facing fears, anxiety and stress like never before. Many of us are also feeling the call to help and support the communities around us. The trend of businesses giving back has been on point for some time now, but, never before, has it mattered so much. During the global pandemic, many business leaders are building meaning for their brand, their companies and their employees through campaigns to give back. Choosing what to do can be tough and limited by financial constraints, but even the small things can mean a lot.
Leadership in Action Example: There are countless examples of businesses giving back on a large scale and a local level. One noteworthy effort came from the toy company, Mattel. COO Richard Dickson recently announced that the company will use fabric earmarked for Barbie and Fisher-Price products to produce masks. The production operation is also working to create a prototype face shield for those working on the front line in hospitals.
