Work@War Video - 4 Mistakes to Avoid

Hi, I'm Nirit Cohen with Work@War, bringing you insights from the frontlines of leadership during a crisis.

There’s nothing like a war to take leadership to the edge, especially in the need to balance work and life. Unlike the universal pause of the pandemic, the war in Israel challenges only those of us here. So, while we may have your empathy, we also understand the expectations for business continuity.

Like a tightrope walker, balancing high above the ground, we find ourselves managing the crucial balance between maintaining operations and caring for our people. And there are vital lessons here for any leader aiming to balance operational imperatives with employee well-being.

Our first lesson – Don’t fight Hybrid Work : The war made that dilemma simple, if you havn’t, as an organization, mastered remote work and remote management, you’re at risk of disrupting business and losing talent. The longer the war, the more organizations are learning to lean on robust hybrid models, where trust and outcome-based management are key.

Our second lesson - Fairness isn't about uniformity. It's about equity and understanding individual needs. Circumstances are so unique right now that they cannot be ignored. And those that have tried, asking for example displaced employees or spouses of people who are on reserve duty to “get back to normal” resulted in a significant blunder. Tailoring approaches to individual needs fosters true fairness and productivity. Frankly, it’s the only way.

Our third lesson - Attempting to impose 'business as usual' in unstable times simply won’t work. It's about balancing operational needs with personal concerns. Our situation here is an extreme case of the Return to Office mandates in the US, which seem to be turning into a power struggle. Instead, we’re discovering business as usual requires building a relationship based on mutual understanding and respect.

Our fourth lesson – Don’t underestimate the power of your frontline managers. To the contrary, empower them to be effective communicators and decision-makers. They're essential for translating organizational strategies into actionable plans that meet the needs of employees on the ground.

We’re learning that in times of crisis, leadership is about finding balance – like our tightrope walker. Avoiding these pitfalls not only helps us navigate the present crisis but also prepares us for future challenges. We’re learning what it takes to walk the tightrope of continuous change with grace and resilience.

Whether you're working with teams in Israel or elsewhere, these lessons are universal.

Until our next video, from Israel, remember: In every challenge lies an opportunity to learn and grow. Like, share, and comment with your insights and let's discuss how we can all become better leaders through change. Together, we can navigate these challenging times with wisdom and empathy.

Nirit Cohen, Israel.