Leading Through Uncertainty
5 Practical Tips for any Leader
These are indeed uncertain times.
At home and at work, people are unsettled by a predatory virus, roiling markets, flagging economies and empty shelves. Anxiety is rampant. Facing such unpredictable threats exposes our collective vulnerability. Social distancing makes us feel more isolated. Despite all the advances across the ages, the frailty of our humanity is on full display.
No wonder people are frightened.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience but where he stands in times of challenge and controversy.”
As leaders, now is our time to stand up.
We don’t have to answer all co-worker questions. Or be clairvoyant about the future. We’re not required to deliver rousing sermons which magically assuage everyone’s fears. We just have to be present. Be available. And most importantly, be human.
Any leader at any level can do this. No special schooling, years of experience or leadership superpowers required. Here are five simple steps you can take during the current upheaval.
1. Be Real:
People seek connection in a crisis. We prefer to work alongside another person, not a robot. So, don’t be afraid to show your human side.
Authenticity builds trust. Share the qualms and doubts you are experiencing. Explain how you control your emotions while focusing on the tasks at hand. Your openness gives others confidence they can manage the distractions and get their job done.
2. Be Straight:
A pandemic is scary for everyone. Folks are spooked by the health risks and their job risk. Is the company in trouble? Can we survive this economic disturbance? Will I get axed?
No leader can predict these outcomes. And nobody is expecting you to. Don’t try.
Deal with reality as it is. Be as transparent as possible. Don’t sugar-coat the situation or feed folks a bad-news sandwich. Tell them all you know. And what you don’t know. Your trust in their maturity will be appreciated.
3. Be Vocal and Visible:
Seeing leaders out front is comforting when feeling vulnerable. So, make your presence known. Walking the office floor is meaningful. Dropping by someone’s desk or hanging in the company kitchen provides informal chances to chat, exchange stories and reinforce bonds with one another.
In these days of working remotely, leaders must be creative. Start a daily Vlog delivered to Inboxes each morning. A simple 2–3 minutes of your perspectives will be uplifting. The regular cadence is as reassuring as the content.
Block extra time on your calendar for video check-ins, especially for those who are home alone. Give folks a safe forum to share their emotions in addition to their progress.
Hold virtual coffee breaks or digital happy hours to keep folks connected. While strategy and execution are necessary, interacting with your team is essential.
4. Be Optimistic:
A calm, positive outlook is a refreshing alternative to the foreboding news cycle. Help others see the upside of disruptions to the status quo. Innovation proliferates when conventional thinking is out the window.
For example, remote working is becoming ubiquitous. Video meetings may be shorter or less frequent. Less commuting. Fewer meetings. Think of the extra time this adds to everyone’s day!
Team members could tackle those Strategic Initiatives languishing on their To Do list. Develop new skills. Spend more time at home with family. Increase fitness activities or favorite personal pursuits.
Perhaps the firm could reduce office space and reallocate the real estate savings to paid sick leave or wellness benefits.
Life will be different when this virus passes. Be a voice convincing the organization that different can be better.
5. Be Encouraging:
From the beginning, Mankind formed clans to protect ourselves from chaotic and dangerous environments. Innate in each of us, this instinctual tribalism will spur a similar closing of the ranks against today’s turmoil.
Remind team members of coming together in the past to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds. Their cohesiveness tore down internal silos and enabled better cross-functional collaboration.
And tell others how much you believe in them. Demonstrate your confidence by giving away authority. Operate by the adage “Nobody is smarter than everybody.” Entrust more decision-making to the team. This enhanced autonomy will foster ownership while tightening relationships within the group.
Leading in a calamity is daunting. Yet, any leader is capable of connecting with others and walking them through to the other side.
The secret? Just be yourself — a human, like everybody else.
