Unprepared to lead
Regardless of the experience they may have, all leaders are currently “shook”. Who would have known that leaders would be tested in this way? In this incredible and unimaginable situation, it seems that any and all leadership styles, although mastered, are not enough. In trying to figure this situation out, we are reminded that there just isn’t enough information for there to be any certainty. The unpredictability is scary...
Billions of people all over the world have been ordered to stay at home in an attempt to curb the coronavirus. Under the staggering circumstances, business leaders have found themselves in situations that are difficult to manage effectively. In many cases many feel totally incapable. How do they do right by their staff members? Their customers? Their nations? They are dealing with employees who are questioning and reviewing their priorities: What should one prioritise both personally and at work? They are dealing with employees who are worried, fearful, anxious and highly stressed. Employees who are trying to fit in work, home schooling, cooking and cleaning, which is not just tiring but also extremely distracting. Many have to choose between being committed to their work or being committed to the members of their households. In all of this, the fear of losing one’s job also lurks in the background - unemployment is spiking across the world and many of those managing to keep their jobs are getting paid less. So however difficult the circumstances are, everyone is sucking it up to keep their jobs.
Managers are having to come to grips with the fact that their leadership style must shift rapidly. To start with, they need to use technology more robustly in order to get the work done. Previously, companies have had the option of not allowing their employees to work from home. This is because of the uncertainty about the quality of work produced at home versus in the office. In working from home, managers have less control over ensuring that the work space is suitable enough for optimum results, or even if their employees’ access to internet is sufficient. You can be sure that the attempted collaboration will fail miserably if the audio facility is dodgy, or the files cannot be shared or downloaded for that matter. So it's important for the company to invest in reliable tools and to train the employees on the use of them for effective work to take place. These are aspects that can sabotage the progress of any meaningful outcomes. Additionally managers are refining their softer skills, such as empathy and trust. Micro managers are now being forced to macro-manage. This means raising the trust level – a challenge in and of itself for many leaders. Yet this is the only way to tackle the ‘workplace’.
So what are some of the suitable ways to lead that we suggest?
Flexibility and adaptation is key.
Clarity of expectations is also important. Make sure that everyone knows what a “timely deliverable” is. Is it a three-hour turnaround, a day's work or even a week? Is the definition for working quickly the same for everybody?
Set “work from home” guidelines, such as emails must be responded to within 24 hours, do not copy everybody on each email otherwise they spend their whole day reading all the email correspondence but doing very little in response to them. Use Whatsapp for urgent matters only. Establish boundaries around calls - no calls between certain hours ensure that teammates are not working around the clock.
Create a communication strategy. It is important to think through the message of each session, but more importantly, focus on why it must be passed on. So the first step is establishing how often a formal check-in is necessary. Determine what the daily needs are and the guidelines for them. Ensure you are communicating regularly with all team members.
These are just the start.
What have you had to add to your leadership toolkit in these times of uncertainty?