Leadership in Uncertain Times

Being a strong leader is hard even at the best of times, but in times of rapid change and uncertainty, the task can seem to be monumental. Right now the massive disruption caused by COVID-19 is of course foremost in our thinking, but it should be recognized that there have been other such periods of uncertainty and fluctuation, so It is good to take a step back and consider how in the past challenges like this have been met, and defeated, and then to take such experience and adapt it to this new challenge.

 Above all, a leader needs to take the long view - thinking not only about today, but also about how the future is going to change. Certainly, change is never in itself a bad thing. In fact, change is a sign of life - dead things don’t change. But failure to react properly to change can plant the seeds of disaster. There are really two interleaved tasks right now that leaders must address. The first is to minimize the damage that the disruption could do to our lives and businesses. The second is to identify and exploit the new opportunities that any change brings.

 Above all, a leader needs to set the example, so as to re-tune not only his own thinking, but to be fully aware of how others see it. No one can claim to have the only solution. So far, everyone has had to learn on-the-go, and pooled knowledge represents the best thing we can rely on.

.In my view, the steps outlined below address both aspects of the solution to the crisis, and we need to make sure we are sharp in everything we are doing:

 1. Improve your listening skills – have an open mind and prepared to learn

• Listen to your co-workers, since your business depends just as much on them as on yourself.
• Listen to your customers – their needs are the best indication of where to adjust and adapt.
• Keep yourself aware of general market trends, so that you stay ahead of the curve.

 2. Communication is a two-way street

• Make sure your messages are clear, concise and relevant. Just like yourself, people are hunting for clarity and assurance because they too are faced with uncertainty.  
• Make sure to control the amount of communication – everyone is being swamped with conflicting news (and fake news abounds) so short, sweet and to-the-point will always be better.
• Make sure you address the right audience. A good message to the wrong people is a waste, and a bad message to the proper audience can do damage.
• Identify key methods which can provide you with real feedback from the audience. Give them the chance to react, and be ready to adapt yourself in view of the feedback.

3. Innovate – the only way to properly handle change is to change. “Sticking to your guns” can only leave you spiked. You cannot push your audience to come into line with you, you need to adapt your message and your products to meet their needs.

4. Internally, make a sense of purpose clear to all your co-workers. Make sure your organization is not acting out of fear, but rather give them a sense of purpose – that they are part of the solution

5. Push your team to be aware of the broader picture on your behalf. Positive feedback can lead you onto the right path, and negative feedback can keep you from going off-track.

6. Be true to yourself – do not promise things you can not control. It’s most important to be trusted, and whatever you know, you share and whatever you don’t know, to admit that too.

7. Keep up your high standards – you cannot have any shortcuts and create crises within a crisis – your reputation will be damaged must faster than you can repair.

8. Be decisive. Make choices and include an outline of your reasoning, and clear measurable targets that will enable you and others to judge whether or not you are on the right path. Sometimes it will be tough; sometimes people won’t understand your reasoning, but that’s what leadership is about. As long as you are open to feedback (not criticism for its own sake, but based on actual experience), you can be strong.

9. Don’t just react to noise. Make sure to communicate your decision well; not everyone will like your decision but time will tell if it was right or wrong.

10. Make sure not only to make the right decision but also to do it on the right timing – make sure you are not a follower due to other’s decisions – lead!

11. Don’t be serious all the time. It is OK to have the ability to loosen up a bit with your team, customer, peers... life is too short!