"Tough Times Don't Last, Tough Teams Do"

During tough times, the leader plays a very important role in every organisation.

Before this pandemic, I’ve gone through 3 crises in VHR where we were close to saying “bye-bye” to this company.

During every crisis, I always do an upfront post-mortem where we visualize the best outcome, and the worst outcome together. Then, we prepare for both.

Through my past experiences of almost closing down my business, I’ve learnt 3 important things. Well, we are glad with what we have achieved in Q3/2020, thus far!

#1 - Courage to move on

To go through a crisis, you must have the courage to explain what’s the current situation to your team member, and brace the impact together. Even though things look really bad and you might even feel very “paiseh” to share about it, you must be transparent and communicate what they’re getting into.

When COVID-19 hits, I called for a full town hall team meeting and told my team, I’m not sure what’s going to happen, I also "takut", but it’s about having the courage to move forward, as a team, despite the uncertainty.

#2 - Lead by example

I’m always the first to go into the office, and the last to come out. 

It’s a low time, and I want the team to know that I’m fighting through this together with them. Whatever they’re going through, I understand, and I’m willing to bear 10x more responsibility than every single one of them combined.

A decade ago, when I was given a challenge to turnaround a company in Thailand that had 6 years of losses, I fought it through together with the team. I slept in the factory with them, got up before everyone else, and made it work together with them in the end.

Always, always, always lead by example.

#3 - Face your finances

During times like this, it’s very important for you to check and understand your finances even though it looks really scary. 

Be very clear of how much cashflow you have, how long you can go on, when to draw a line, and what other options you have that can help carry you through this period of time.

By now, if you’re wondering, “Low, what if I mention the worst to the team, and they leave?”

Yes, we should mention the worst because by design, those who can’t go into the battlefield with you should leave. 

This is what I would say.

Yes, we are going through a tough period. As the leader, I will be the first one to go into the battlefield. I will be the first to take the bullet.

But I need your commitment, are you with me?

If you have doubt, leave now. I don’t blame you because you have your own commitment that you have to take care of.

But to those who are going to go into the battlefield with me, be ready. 

Worst case, this is what’s gonna happen.

But to those who stay, thank you, you are all warriors.