By focusing on the kind of leader and organization you want to be, you can then make the hard decisions in a way that’s transparent, sustainable, and sets you up to be in a good position once things begin to return to normal.
1. Listen
Listen, listen, listen.
As tempting as it is to go into crisis mode and follow your emergency plan by the book, listening needs to be your top priority.
You need to listen to your peers, your teammates, and any other stakeholders in your vicinity. Listening allows you to hear other experiences, which better prepares you to support and ultimately lead.
2. Tell the Truth
It’s tempting to want to look strong and confident, even when the chips are down. After all, you don’t want your team to know leadership is sweating, right?
That’s not what teams want. They want to know what you know, even if you don’t know much.
One of the best things you can do as a leader is to resist the urge to downplay the problem or repeat false information. You don’t need to get down to the dirty details, but you do need to be honest about the problem, how you got there, and what’s being done to not only fix the issue but protect the team.
3. Communicate Appropriately
Communication is key, but communicating during a crisis brings an extra challenge. You need to strike a balance between over-communicating and leaving your team in the dark.
It’s also vital to use appropriate communication channels. Critical information should come face-to-face when possible or virtual when required. No big news should ever come as a surprise email.
By sharing what you know and making sure everyone hears it for themselves, you’ll prevent gossip and rumors, which can fuel even more anxiety.
4. Practice Empathy
One of the most important things we forget during a crisis – both at work and in our personal lives – is to prioritize empathy.
Connecting as a human being and respecting other’s experiences and emotions is a huge part of crisis leadership. It’s important to not only support your team’s technical needs but to listen and support their mental health.
5. Focus on the Big Picture
The big picture gets lost when you’re in survival mode. Instead, leaders tend to want to control the small things because they’re tangible. But ironically, fighting your way out of a crisis is when the big picture becomes more important than ever.
The big picture – for most of us – is the people. It’s your team and employees who make up your business – not a profit margin.
By focusing on the kind of leader and organization you want to be, you can then make the hard decisions in a way that’s transparent, sustainable, and sets you up to be in a good position once things begin to return to normal.
Building a Strong Team?
At Transcend Solutions, we know the value of a strong team especially during times of crisis. If you’re looking for the right person to join your team, we can help. Get in touch to request a new employee.