Leadership during COVID-19

As we move through this pandemic, doing meetings by video calls with our kids and pets in the background, caring less about how we look on camera or the backgrounds we show, we are increasing our appreciation for authenticity, communication, and trust.

What Got You Here Won’t Get You There -Marshall Goldsmith

Engage the hearts and minds of people

A new level of leadership requires the ability to influence others to achieve what is needed. Executive leadership needs to guide people through risk and change; therefore trust is essential to bridge building.

Richard Branson is a wonderful role model and a powerful example of a leader who successfully wins hearts and minds. He has over 50,000 employees throughout the world and has been voted Britain's most admired business leader over the past five decades in a poll of top bosses.

Be a Versatile leader

In today's climate, leaders need to adapt fast and make decisions when needed. The scale of change continues to accelerate. Leaders must be transparent, consistent, and continue to deliver quality services despite the level of disruptive change. The Versatile leader builds skills to unlock people's potential, gathers collective wisdom and leads collaboratively.

Self-Confidence

The overconfident leader can negate the leadership qualities you want within your organization and can cross the line into the danger zone.

When the British Petroleum oil spill occurred in Mexico in 2011, it was both a human tragedy and an environmental one. 11 workers had lost their lives and thousands of gallons of oil were continually being discharged into water. One could term this crisis as catastrophic. And yet, the response of the then-CEO Tony Howard was found to be very lacking. In fact, it further hurt the organization’s credibility.

Self-confidence plays a role in leadership. When executives understand their strengths and areas for development in a balanced way, they can overcome barriers, lead their internal critics and create the right environment for problems to be addressed.

Communication cadence

COVID-19 has caused extensive and fast-moving change in every organization.

Effective leadership communication, delivered to employees at a regular cadence, is critical. It provides valuable reassurance to staff about the changing situation, convinces them that executives are mindful of their concerns and motivates them to contribute towards combined success.

Whichever medium you use, maintain consistency of message across each, this ensures widespread understanding and minimal risk of misinterpretation.

Be clear in what you’re saying, communicate updated information promptly and in a balanced manner. Imprecision leaves employees anxious and more vulnerable to disinformation campaigns.

In times of change, there’s no substitute for leadership visibility in minimizing negative speculation and fostering positive attitudes. If you can’t be there in person, be everywhere digitally.

Listen

Communication is a two-way street. Your employees have a voice, and listening to it will deliver benefits to both, them and the business.

The COVID-19 Coronavirus has placed business leaders in a critical position. They have considerable responsibilities to their employees, customers, and other stakeholders, at a time when circumstances are in flux.

It’s the time when great leaders need to step up and shine. Are you prepared?