Leadership In Times Of Crisis: Lessons From Humanity

I’m always on the lookout for articles about leadership. Here are a few snippets:

My team and I have been working with partners in Haiti, among dozens of other countries, for more than a decade, helping people help themselves by repurposing shoes from North America.

Amid the anarchy that’s unfortunately engulfed Haiti, I recently sent text messages to thousands of Haitians we've worked with. The responses blew me away. At a time when people are running for their lives and at a moment when no one knows if they will survive to the end of the day, the responses I received were extraordinary, rooted in gratitude, faith and hope. I couldn't get over the fact that some even thanked me for my company's work with them. In short, the essence of humanity revealed itself in remarkable replies. And it served as a stark reminder for my team and me of human resilience.

Harnessing The Human Connection

These exchanges made me realise some of the parallels required of people in business and working in teams. Of course, in the United States, we're fortunate not to be enduring such strife or struggle. But there are threads and takeaways that business people should remember. Crisis is part of life and business, and at the core of it, people matter.

First and foremost, the human connection lies at the heart of every life and business relationship. In times of business crisis, leaders have to go beyond the idea of employer-employee relationships. When there’s a crisis in a business, as in life, hierarchical boundaries disappear, and people have to work together to get past it.

That means forging strong bonds and relationships with and among teams and creating a trusting, supportive and empathetic environment. To help foster this type of culture, leaders can and should create an open-door policy and invite bonding time at the start of meetings. It might not seem like much, but these signal to teams that leaders appreciate and support people (not just workers), which can create an environment of trust and collaboration.

Tapping Into Authentic Leadership

In any crisis, people will look for leadership and support. Sometimes, that means expressing solidarity and empathy. In my texts with Haitians, I didn't offer solutions or grand promises. I'm not in their shoes, so I couldn't pretend to appreciate their plight fully. However, I've seen in business, such as during the early days of the pandemic, that offering a kind word and support can provide hope to people in dire straits.

When a company faces a threat or when someone on the team is experiencing a difficult situation, authenticity and social awareness are essential skills for leaders. This might mean acknowledging that things aren't alright and showing empathy for the fears and uncertainties of others.

Embracing Change

Companies and leaders should embrace adaptation and innovation. If those values are part of a company's everyday work, muscle memory will kick into high gear when trouble arises. During those times, inner resolve—not empty proclamations—chart the path toward renewal.

I've seen in life and through my experiences in business with my portfolio of brands, that nurturing adaptability to change helps people overcome during times when it matters most. Companies can create a culture of adaptation by regularly discussing opportunities and challenges of the company through formal SWOT analysis sessions, for instance. Further, adaptability comes with a growth mindset, so creating consistent opportunities for team growth and learning supports team members and teaches them how to pivot more quickly since they're always learning and their brains have to adapt continuously.

Want to know more? Head on over to the full article here for more ideas and perspectives. Afterwards, why not drop me an email to share your thoughts at [email protected]; or call me on 0467 749 378.

Thanks,

Robert