Navigating constant change

Change is inevitable. Accept that has fact and start from there. Sure, change like we’ve seen since March started is extraordinary and very rare - but change it was and the change it continues to bring will consistently surprise and challenge us as leaders to stay connected and communicative.

As you begin to devise a strategy for how your company, team, business, etc. will move forward in the on-going pandemic and the roller-coaster economy it has magnified and exacerbated - be mindful and centered on encouraging a “group-think” communication environment.

Changing your business model from the ground-up may not be necessary but being able to roll with the trending tide could prove useful if you are in an economic sector that has been radically effected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The timing of your new strategy’s unveiling for maximum impact will be crucial if you are to see your business go beyond surviving and into thriving mode for the last two quarters of 2020.

Here are three of my favorite ways to increase positive, growth-centered communication with my own team and a little taste of what I focus on in my keynote addresses and with my business coaching clients. 

1. “I do not have most of the answers nor I am positive the ones I do have are all that great.”

I am a huge proponent of humbling myself in front of my team. Releasing my ego’s need to always be right and to have the correct answer for every situation opens up the floor for everyone to know they do not have to be positive their idea is the best idea in order to present it to the team and I.

2. “Every idea won’t be great but it needs to be presented so it can be thrown out.”

Some of the best ideas for my business’ development and growth are an amalgamation of ideas that by themselves just sounded ridiculous or downright whack. If I shut my team down from throwing out the ridiculous in a brainstorming session I miss out on the possibility of this amalgamation process to play itself out.

3. Uncover the hidden talents within your team through precise, thoughtful, strategized communication.

Sounds easy in theory but in practice it can be met with combative responses and behavior if it is not framed correctly. 

Case in point, I once moved my top sales woman into customer service to guide and teach that team how to better build relationships in a quick timespan - like 5-10 minutes. She dominated in sales because she could find a relatable position with anyone. Communicated, framed, and presented to her correctly, she understood how her talent of building rock solid relationships with her clients drew a direct line to how she could train an entire department to harness her sales personalization into personalized customer service. 

By evoking this hidden talent from her and showcasing it to our customer relations department, we were able to maximize the relationships she forged into long, long-term clients that would have otherwise looked elsewhere because of the let down they experienced going from her to them.

The key moving forward in 2020 will be understanding that business as usual, and status quo will not be a stable strategy to follow moving forward. In fact, that mindset has been old-school for a while now.

Be a leader in your industry by not only thinking outside the box, but deciding there is no box to begin with. The world has been shaken to its core - why not shake up your business model and strategy while you’re at it. 

You can do this by admitting you don’t know everything, not mocking someone in a meeting for the ridiculous, off-the-wall idea they just said, and by shifting your talents around to help those that need a shot in the arm to do better and be better.

Your team is a reflection of your leadership skills - so turn it up 17 notches if you expect them to do the same!