We are in uncharted territory right now and fear, overwhelm and panic can easily set in. As leaders, it is crucial that we are calm, kind, smart and display visionary behaviour every day. Why?
- Calm – when there is such underlying panic, it is important that people have someone to look up to who is remaining in control (even if only on the outside!).
- Kind – this pandemic has brought out the worst in some people. Your actions today will impact your reputation in the future. Who do you want to be remembered as in times of trouble?
- Smart – with so much misinformation, hype and click bait, being the voice of reason that people can trust is essential.
- Visionary – people need someone to give them hope for the future. Yes, this too will pass and although it is hard to understand how the new normal will look and feel, we must believe that it will eventually be OK.
Resilient Leaders: Being resilient during these stressful, changeable and uncertain times will be a skill that our most talented leaders are going to need.
Over the years, I have noticed that the most resilient leaders naturally display the following four traits and I have listed some action items on how you can incorporate these skills into your day whilst leading your team, your business, your company and/or your family.
Be In Service – genuinely go out of your way to help people in your teams to cope. What are some little things you can do that could make a big difference right now? Could you:
~Business Game Changer Special Promotion~
- Help setup the technology that we now need for someone who is not as technically advanced as you.
- Have a ‘R U OK’ conversation every day with someone in your team.
- Send someone a link to an article that you know would interest them that’s light and fun and will bring a moment of relief.
Lead By Example – now more than ever you must be an excellent role model. You must walk your talk and be the leader that others look up to because of your calmness, smartness and vision for the future. Remember actions speak much louder than words so check in on how you are appearing to your team members. Make sure:
- You don’t verbally catastrophise about the current situation.
- You provide at least one optimistic view about the future situation.
- Proactively keep yourself healthy – display social distancing and hand washing.
Listen Intently – during these ever-changing and uncertain times, mastering the art of being present and really listening to the challenges, concerns, and stories of people around you will make a difference to their lives, because what we know is that ‘being heard’ is something most of us want in this world. Make sure you:
- Don’t speak on the phone while checking your emails.
- Check in regularly with your remote workers.
- Master the tech so you can have video meetings with your team members.
Be Fallible – no one likes a know-it-all.
- It is OK for you to admit that you don’t have all the answers.
- It is OK to acknowledge that things are changing fast and that good decisions you make today could be the wrong ones next week.
- It is OK that you say out loud that you are also concerned with this situation. People trust in leaders who are honest and transparent, but of course it is also your job to be calm and provide optimism and/or solutions whenever possible.
Which one of these four traits comes naturally to you? Let me know in the comments below.
Be well. Love life.
Heidi
P.S. If you would like to check how resilient you are right now from the impacts that COVID-19 is having on you and your business, then take this quick quiz to measure your resilience score – https://heididening.com/bucketquiz/
About The Author
Heidi Dening is an inspiring keynote speaker, author of a best-selling self-leadership book called ‘Her Middle Name Is Courage’, and experienced educator who specialises in improving the resilience of organisations and their leaders so they can better deal with stress, uncertainty and change.
Over the last 22 years she has started, scaled and sold an award-winning health and education business; founded an international not-for-profit with hundreds of volunteers across three countries; and delivered empowering presentations and programs to business leaders at Accenture, Westpac, & Random House to name just a few, on topics such as business performance, resilience and self-leadership.
Heidi was recently chosen for the NSW Government’s Inspirational Women showcase in the entrepreneurial and empowerment category and has been awarded Westpac’s International Women’s Day Local Hero Award.
Website – https://heididening.com/
