5 Practical Ways to Help People in Lockdown

I know a lot of you are desperate to help employees, friends or fellow chiefs that are in lockdown.

My family and business are in the heart of it. This will be a very challenging 6 weeks on the back of a year of almost constant restrictions of some sort. It will continue to be an emotional rollercoaster with huge doubts around the future of our business and others. I’m not going to dwell on that today. Rather, with the Chief Maker spirit of coming with solutions, here are 5 ideas on how you as leaders can support friends and employees through this time. Or anytime they are in hard lockdown. 

1. Job & financial security. 

According to Marketing to Mums founder Katrina McCarter this is the #1 stress of mums across Australia right now. Be guaranteed it is now miles in front of any other concern in Victoria right now. Anything you can do to provide some certainty for employees until 2021 will be put many minds at ease. 

2. Organise a video dinner 

• Make this a private dinner. Just you and your friend, or as two couples. The more intimate the better for actual conversation and connection.
• Send them their dinner via UberEats with a bottle of wine and together all of you eat the same thing. (Or cook the same recipe) 
• Get dressed up as though you’re heading out to a nice restaurant. 
• No agenda - just enjoy a catch up. And if they’re not well known to you, then make this an opportunity to learn more about them. 

PS - Large group zooms don’t work…this is far more personal and you will get to know your friend / employee in a better way. We did this the other night with some friends across town - we sent progress pics to each other of the slow cooked lamb we were both cooking. Chatted for 3 hours. Gold. 

3. Send them a gift that will engage their kids

Do some research on the age of their kids. Then send something that will be a constructive way to entertain their kids for a few hours. The kids will be going stir crazy at times… and so will the parents! 

4. Send them a small gift that’ll keep them entertained! 

- We will all be looking for entertainment, motivation for fitness, comic relief etc. Stuff that isn’t heavy and is good for the soul. So send them a small gift to help out like some fitness equipment, a book, or an iTunes voucher. Or arrange to do an online workout with them or a virtual challenge together, like the indoor Everest Challenge. (In fact, we’re doing this one in our house - if anyone wants to join us, just let me know.)

5. Do some mentoring 

If you have any available time, setup a mentoring or career coaching call with them. This will make them feel valued and part of the future of the business. You’ll learn more about how things are really going for them and it might even just help them through a tough few days here and there. 

If we spread the word and everyone does just one of the above acts of kindness for the people in lockdown it’ll make a huge difference for those people. 

Please post further ideas in comments if things that are practically helpful.

Stay epic and help your colleagues stay sane,

Greg

#WeAreInThisTogether #RandomActsofKindness #ChiefMaker #Leadership