Two Key Behaviors for Leaders leading through Crisis By Alycia Sutor

  Adapted from GrowthPlay, an ELAvate PartnerThe COVID-19 pandemic has forever changed the world of work and life.  What has not changed, however, is the need for great leadership.   GrowthPlay has identified what ELAvate believes are the top two behaviors for every leader to consistently practice in this COVID Crisis.

Be Present

In the midst of responding to COVID-19, it can feel challenging to keep client and remote staff connections warm.  In a desire to avoid burdening already stressed people, we have heard many leaders express a desire to pull back from reaching out, wanting to hear that their assistance is necessary or invited before making contact.  And, as event after event cancels and clients delay projects, it can seem like the possibilities to stay organically connected to most of our staff and clients must be put on hold until life and business as usual resumes.However, this is exactly the time for trusted advisors and empathetic team leaders to lean in, step up, and lead.  It also may be comforting to remember that in a time of crisis and great uncertainty, people are not inclined to make dramatic changes, but rather to lean more heavily on relationships that are already known, liked, and trusted.  Therefore, keep in mind that your behavior to act upon the two principles that guide business development as an act of service are critical right now:  continue to build authentic relationships, and be willing to listen for and solve another person’s most important problems, even if you can’t solve them right away.The number one thing to do right now, particularly if your business is slow, is to connect with your clients and team on a consistent regular basis.  Authentic relationship building means that you are willing to demonstrate care and concern for the other person because the person is important.  If you haven’t asked your most important contacts how they are doing personally and professionally, now is the time to do so. Here are some examples of authentic reasons you can use to connect in the absence of a pressing need.And here are a few other tips to help you stay connected:

• Every time you think of pushing send on an email, consider picking up the phone and calling instead. Talk don’t text!
• Use the time from meetings that get cancelled or rescheduled as an opportunity to call one colleague or client to simply check in.
• Learn to use WhatsApp, Skype, Webex, MS Teams or Zoom to virtually be present with staff and clients.

“Good Leaders Ask Great Questions,” says Dr. John Maxwell

The most important thing you can do is ask good questions and listen deeply.  When you discover something that is a priority or concern, recognize that you have a multitude of ways in which you can help.  Some possibilities to consider include:

• Invitations to sit in on training, discussions, and webinars
• Introductions to other clients, service providers, experts, and colleagues; and
• Insights into how to manage the current circumstances, including strategy conversations, sharing of feedback or surveys, and examples of how other organizations are addressing similar challenges.

Be present even if it means virtually! 

Message Hope

We only have to tune into the news for a brief minute to experience a breakdown in confidence. There is no shortage of things to remind us that we are living in an exponentially VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous) world right now.

Jeffrey Gitomer reminds us, “Don’t Outsource Your Attitude”

And, this is precisely why our clients need us to step up, lean in, and stand out as courageous leaders that inspire, motivate and give hope. One of the things courageous leaders must do in times of crisis is lift morale by sending a message of hope. A leader’s hopeful outlook enables people to see beyond today’s challenges to tomorrow’s answers. The word hope is derived from the Old English word hopian, which means to “leap forward with expectation.”But, how can we offer hope to others when we ourselves may not be feeling particularly hopeful? Here are three things research shows can help:

• Look to your heroes – Take a quick moment to identify and think about people you consider heroic in times of great need, such as the first responders during 9/11 or the medical professionals that continue to show up to treat patients today despite the great risk to their own health and safety. Researchers have a name for the high we get from witnessing human goodness: moral elevation. And moral elevation has been shown to have many positive benefits, including inspiring optimism, making people want to be better, and encouraging people to act more altruistically.
• Stay calm and maintain your focus – as leaders, we need to recognize our own need to regulate emotion so we can respond in constructive and helpful ways to external circumstances. Research has shown that the ability to adjust emotions by using rational thinking can be learned and practiced, in particular with mindfulness practices, including meditation, breathing, prayer and exercise.
• Look outside yourself -  When we recognize our common humanity and show compassion, we are more likely to pull together and solve even the most perplexing issues. You can start by practicing compassion on yourself and recognizing that we all have moments of fear and doubt and we all make mistakes. You can recognize and remember that how we support and bolster ourselves by supporting and bolstering each other is critical and can give you the peace of mind to comfort others.

Finally, seek inspiration from other leaders who can bolster your own sense of perspective, calm, and confidence.  Here are a few examples that may lift you up when you need your own shot of inspiration:

•  “Hope is the pillar that holds up the world.” – Pliny the Elder
•  “Above all, be the heroine of your life, not the victim.” ― Nora Ephron
• “Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.” ― Anais Nin

Be the courageous leader that is present who gives hope, shows compassion, and inspires others through this crisis.Adapted from GrowthPlay by ELAvate Leaders