WITH A HAND ON MY HEART, I PROMISE YOU THAT!

WITH A HAND ON MY HEART, I PROMISE YOU THAT!

In our interactions with leaders during the coronavirus pandemic, one huge time of crisis, we noticed some of them responded quicker than the others. They didn’t wait for all the information to arrive and then choose a path. Leaders who successfully lead in the crisis are the ones who try to use and make sense of whatever little information they have. They decide on the priorities and take action.?

We have also seen, especially during this Covid-19 crisis, that leaders in some organizations are still imprisoned by inaction. Their addiction to analysis paralysis has immobilized them. They still have not been able to choose a course. Leaders are responsible for breaking the inertia.?

Once they decide on what is required to be done to survive and thrive in the crisis, they make it public. They communicate their decision to everyone involved. They pledge to make their promise a reality.?

Some leaders promised their people that no one would be laid off. Others promised to their customers that they would deliver on their commitments no matter what. Many promised to their suppliers that they ill get paid on time.?

Whatever leaders promise in the time of crisis has to be fully aligned with the core values and principles governing the organization. Also, the promise needs to be supported by the overall direction, purpose, and priorities of the organization.?

This requires the ability to foresee how the future is going to unfold and What direction the events are going to take??

Leaders’ promises need to balance between many aspects of running the business, i.e., short term gains vs. long term survival of the company.

WHAT WE WITNESSED IN THE ‘VIRTUAL WAR ROOMS’?

We got the chance to visit the virtual ‘war rooms’ of many organizations in the last few months. We have witnessed complete chaos in the board of directors zoom meetups. At the same time, we have experienced relatively calmer interactions where everyone knows who is going to do what??

There were leadership teams where everyone was battling to gain control Vs. high-spirited, aligned teams, starting from the C-suit to the front line; everyone felt empowered to do whatever was good for the business within the boundaries of the agreed-upon decision framework.?

Another promise that we noticed effective leaders make is that the right actions will be rewarded, and mistakes will not be punished.?

Because they know this fact that things are unclear and people will end up making a mistake, if they have a fear of being punished, they will become so cautious that they will not move an inch.?

These leaders understand that in the turbulent times, not taking action is not a choice. Only taking massive action will turn the crisis into an opportunity.