How To Lead Through Hard Times
We are now living in a world of uncertainties. Political/social unrest, a global pandemic, massive changes in ways of working, the Great Resignation, and rising inflation are just a few of the challenges impacting us. During these times, leaders play a significant role in looking out for their team/peers/network, understanding individual personal circumstances, and creating an open and supportive habitat.
Being prepared is a hallmark trait of all distinguished leaders! It’s not easy to say and do the right things when everything is going downhill. Teams/Peers want leaders who partner with them, don’t abandon them, and work passionately to achieve a common goal even during a predicament. During challenging situations, this investment in personal relationships exemplifies empathy. With the reliability of positive work culture, leaders have the resources necessary to handle the stress.
People often think leaders are naturally adept and affable. True leaders combine this with:
- An ability to think long term, plan and move forward.
- Selflessness and dedication and working as a team to work through issues.
Here is how you can inspire and engage team members in any environment.
- Look at the bigger picture — they must consider internal factors, such as roadmaps and staffing needs, and external factors, like socio-political scenarios and technology trends, when making strategic business decisions. For this, they need to maintain a flexible mindset and believe that the company’s goals and vision will change, and hence they need to be willing to try new ideas.
- Innovate Broadly — Leaders believe in creating and nurturing a culture that promotes innovation. They must encourage unconventional thinking, brainstorming of ideas, and having innovation days for teams to develop ideas on improving and making the best use of available resources and relationships beyond teams/groups/organizations for the free flow of knowledge and ideas.
- Communicate — Giving the right message to key stakeholders is very important. Steps along this path include:
- Speaking different languages and developing sensitivity, open listening, empathy, and open-mindedness.
- Respect at all times for others.
- Being willing to experiment and a sense of curiosity.
Adapt your communication style to different cultures when required. Some expect detailed, specific messages, while others rely on the context between the lines. Some cultures also show emotion more as compared to others. Listen and note what they say. Ask follow-up questions if you are not sure what they are trying to express.
- Adapt your leadership style — The leadership style needs to evolve. Moving from authority to trust, hierarchy to networking, decision-making to inspiration, and power to self-awareness. Learning to manage and be adept in this VUCA future is the key.
- Provide psychological safety — Great leaders provide psychological safety — a feeling that employees are secure, take needed risks and bring best to the work. Be sure people know you appreciate and will support them when needed, and shall not divulge in a blame game.
In able guidance -
- Systems improve
- Team capacity flourish
- And creativity ignites than ever before
As leaders, over-reacting, blame others, take charge, go under pressure, exhibit empathy, and move forward in a new direction.
Providing supportive leadership is no small thing. Focus on stability, compassion, transparency, connectedness and balance to help people get through challenges and ensure successful performance.
You can jump on the path at any point and start the journey from wherever you are. Start now and climb to the next level of realism, purpose and value creation.
