How do you work through a pandemic?

The marketplace is changing at a rapid pace. People are having to adapt to new ways of doing business. How we flex and work through the fast evolving challenges this pandemic presents is crucial. Here are some of my recent learnings:-

Dealing with uncertainty

Whether we work alone, lead a team or run an organisation, most of us set goals and plans for the year. It’s likely that many of these plans are now out the window. So how can we be effective in our roles? 

I guess it’s a case of bite size chunks. For many people how they deal with uncertainty is going to be really important. There is perhaps less of a need to develop long term plans at the minute, so I’ve been working on much shorter goals and objectives. I like being in work early and writing out the day’s to-do list, so I can work through it. I’ve found that I have had to allow a lot more flexibility as each days unexpected challenges come in and need addressed, but I still aim to close off the day by checking through my initial task list. Dealing quickly with negatives and moving on to look for fresh opportunities has also been a good learning point for me. Perhaps it’s something that can benefit you also. 

Top tip: Planning out each day, week and month in manageable bite-size chunks can help you work through change and adapt more effectively.

Clarity of communication

Do people in your work groups know what is expected of them now? I sense that we may need to be re-setting and re-framing levels of expectation within our organisations. I think people need and want clarity in these days. Within our business we are having to do this. It’s tough because you still want and hope to hit all the targets you’d previously set, but in a more fluid day to day marketplace we need to keep clarifying the goals and celebrating the wins, big and small.

Top tip: By reviewing and sharing new expectations it helps give clarity in a time of change.

Keeping fuel in the tank

Most people will probably admit to feeling like they are running on empty some days. For many, the environments we’re working in are not the same as we’re used to. This can be draining and tiring as the pandemic has impacted so many factors of our lives, not just work related. There are change and disruption to family life, the ability to meet up with friends, shopping, holidays, travel and on and on it goes. 

Now more than ever I think we need to prioritise our health, wellbeing and personal time each day, to re-fuel, re-charge and reflect. This could be a walk at lunchtime, reading a book in the evening (such as Soul Food by Bear Grylls) or simply just getting back into a healthy rhythm. We all have so much to be thankful for and in an era when news media is pressing in on us we need to remain resilient, upward and outward looking, positive and at peace.

Top tip: Prioritise personal time, re-charge and keep a healthy daily rhythm. 

Keep the sleeves rolled up

As government restrictions and mini-lockdowns come and go, this is a time to roll the sleeves up, get stuck in and be hands on. In order to lead well, we need to be prepared to expand, stretch and push ourselves, take up new tasks, pick up old ones, come alongside our co-workers in a spirit of encouragement and collaboration. 

I believe partnerships are a key to working through a pandemic. No matter the size or scale of your organisation, this is a time to reach out, pull resources, support your industry sector, work together and drive innovative thinking.

Top Tip: It’s ok to partner with others, this may well be a key to working through the pandemic.

I trust some of these learnings are helpful. They are by no means perfect or the only methods. I’m working in unchartered territory like everyone else, but I believe these are days that require fresh thinking, honest leadership and real, meaningful collaboration.

Best wishes. N