2020 & 2021 were definitely challenging days to live through.
We saw a pandemic that affected the entire world. Out of that pandemic came a cascade of consequences. We had:
- Deaths of loved ones and friends…
- Economic devastation of small businesses…
- Emotional and mental health challenges due to lockdowns…
- Educational damage to our children due to school closures and distance learning…
- Intense political divisions over responses to the pandemic, and the 2020 election…
Things seemed to settle down & move back toward a “mostly normal” pre-pandemic life in the days following. Following life changing times in our lives, it is inherent that leaders lead. One way leaders can do that is to effectively guide others toward a healthy, positive and pro-growth mindset regardless of the type of organization they are leading.
I would suggest there are several critical things successful leaders MUST do to not only survive times like these, but to thrive following them as well.
- Honor the challenges, heartaches and sacrifices of your team through the past crisis. People need to know that someone knows and cares about their hard work, and respects them for fighting their way through the difficulties toward wholeness./
- Build on the future by remembering the past. Invite your team to brainstorm their own “Lessons I Learned During the Pandemic/Downsizing/Takeover” or whatever your event might have been. Then sit down with your team and talk through their lists together. You may find it beneficial to have one on one meetings first. However you choose to dialogue with your team members is fantastic… just do it!
- Chart and implement the changes your organization should make. H. Jackson Brown said, “When you can’t change the direction of the wind, adjust your sails.” Ship captains know there are so many things that are beyond their control- the weather, the tides and even the rocks below the water- and yet the great captains know how to navigate through those challenges. Go be THAT person.
- Set the attitude for the days to come. Vision, passion and dedication are more “caught” than “taught” attributes. Leaders can be both optimistic and realistic at the same time. It is foolish to deny there are still challenges ahead for any organization during this time in history. Visionary leaders believe we will master those obstacles, and that we will ultimately move forward stronger and more successful through those challenging waters. You are the person to paint the best picture of the future for your team!
- Prepare for the next catastrophe now. How many organizations floundered or failed through the pandemic because they weren’t equipped or prepared for financial setbacks? What kinds of contingencies or alternate plans could have been made regarding staffing, communications, operations or resources. Of course no one knows the future or could plan for every contingency. We do now know that based on the pandemic crisis of 2020 that effectively planning for major challenges could mean the difference between failing, surviving or thriving as an organization. Put in the hard work to see how you can prepare for the future.
None of the things I’ve listed are difficult. You may or may not have already considered each of these issues. What will you do with what you know?