How to be a Good Leader During a Pandemic
Being a leader during the COVID-19 pandemic is a challenge in itself. Suddenly, things have to change rapidly, including the way you run your business and organize your staff. The role of a leader in the midst of this disruption is very important to ensure the business remains competitive.
Leaders are responsible for being able to maintain the productivity of the staff, at any time, including during a pandemic like today. During a pandemic, leaders need slightly different steps than usual to keep businesses operating at their best.
It is no less important to maintain the performance of the staff as optimally as possible in the midst of an uncertain situation. Here are four steps you can take to become a good leader during a pandemic.
1. Set Clear Priority Scale and Set Decentralization
In a very dynamic situation like today, companies need fast and effective decision making. If all decision-making is centered on the highest leaders in the organization, it will be difficult for businesses to adapt to changing situations.
A good leader is someone who can empower and entrust managers or their subordinates to make decisions. To be able to start this, the leader can set and communicate a clear priority scale.
This step can also make it easier for managers to make the right and effective decisions. A clear and easy-to-understand priority scale can help managers and staff in the company to be able to respond to the challenges faced in the field, especially when there are many difficult choices to be made.
2. Use a Non-Binary Approach in Problem Solving
In solving problems, try not to stop between the two options. Leaders need a more creative way of thinking. For example, many leaders face problems in managing finances and maintaining their human resources.
A non-binary approach in dealing with this situation will leave managers with only two choices, namely to lay off staff or risk losing margins in the operational process.
To be able to overcome this, a creative approach is needed in examining the problems at hand. As a good leader, you can look deeper into situations that aren't limited to options for laying off employees or keeping your business going.
In the non-binary approach, you can find other options for solving company problems. For example reducing the portion of working hours by 80% or offering early retirement plans for some employees.
Leaders can use both creative and non-binary approaches in a variety of situations. This approach can also be used by bringing together team members and inviting them to solve problems or crises they face together so that the business is more cohesive in the long run.
3. Communicating with Empathy
In the COVID-19 pandemic situation, people need leaders who are empathetic, and decisive, especially when communicating. In the midst of this era, the spread of various kinds of information is very fast and comes from various sources. Sometimes, this can confuse many people about the validity of the information, including the staff at your company.
A good leader must be able to be a trusted source. Make sure the target audience or colleagues understand the information you convey. Effective communication doesn't stop when you convey information, it also makes people understand it, especially in situations that are difficult to predict.
If you find it difficult for your audience or staff to digest the information provided, change the way you present the information. This technique can help you make sure your audience absorbs and understands the information better.
4. Build Team Cohesion by Sharing Humanist Stories
In the midst of a pandemic, many people are going through everyday challenges in unique and entertaining ways. As a leader, you can collect stories of how your staff did great things in times of crisis.
Take note of the details and interesting things that exist. Share these stories during online meetings or conference calls. Light stories in the midst of a heavy routine can give hope as well as appreciation for your staff.
The success of a team is directly related to the ability of the team leader. Leaders can learn how to provide direction, listen actively, provide feedback, and increase self-confidence through the Team Leadership: Becoming Flexible Leaders program to maintain relationships with the team to achieve common goals.