The Attributes of a Good Post Covid Leader

  By Michael J Griffin3 minute readCovid causes change. You must change as a leader. Keep up your coaching and problem solving skills but cultivate these attributes in yourself and others through this Covid crisis. Demonstrate these attributes to lead, inspire and give hope. Here they are:Be Present. John Quincy Adams, the sixth President of the United States, said “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” To do this you must “show up” to “be present” with your team. You have to show them daily that you “walk the talk” on guiding them through this turbulence. The best leaders I know make it a daily habit to hold a virtual “kick off” meeting every morning with their team. Showing up daily and being present for your team gives them direction, motivation and hope for the future.Listen Well. In times of stress, we need to listen better. This means asking more questions to determine the what why how and circumstances to solve problems and move forward. Listening also requires patience. Learn to slow down, don’t be judgmental to listen better. “We have two ears and one mouth, so we should listen more than we say,” said Zeno of Citium.Up Your EQ. Covid is changing you, changing people and the environment around you. Virtual communication is two dimensional making communication more difficult. This environment requires you to have a high EQ.  “Emotional intelligence is your ability to recognize and understand emotions in yourself and others, and your ability to use this awareness to manage your behaviors and relationships,” says Travis Bradberry.Grow your capability to recognize your own emotions, the emotions of others, to respond in a healthy manner that develops healthy relationships. Use your EQ to guide and manage yourself to adapt to the new environments that Covid presents to achieve your goals.Show Empathy. These times are stressful for most people. Rather than only focus on meeting KPI’s, focus on showing empathy from the heart to others and their problems and issues. Take time to listen and ask questions about others’ family and work life and demonstrate you care by showing sincere empathy. “No one cares how much you know, until they know how much you care,” said President Theodore Roosevelt.Be Teachable. Covid is accelerating change. Be teachable and open to new ways of doing things. Don’t be the victim, critic or bystander but be a teachable leader who learns to become even more successful through the Covid crisis. Think…what do you need to learn now to grow in success? “Just be silent, humble and teachable. If you ever think you know it all, that is the beginning of your troubles,” says Israelmore Ayivor.Think Like there is No Box. The “box” you live in and work in has changed. “Don't think outside the box. Think like there is no box,” says Ziad K. Abdelnour. What boundaries, rules, emotions, relationships and processes are holding you back from changing? Which need to be eliminated? Jump out of the you self-imposed box and see how you can be more successful through Covid change.Be Strategic. “Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.” Sun Tzu. Your company or life vision may have to change through Covid. Move beyond daily survival tactics to revising the mission, vision, strategy and goals of your team, your company  or your life. After confirming your mission and vision post Covid, use strategy mapping to chart the new course you and your company will take. The set out the goals and tactics to achieve victory.These leadership attributes have helped me weather and grow to success through life, and, yes, I have had many! Make them part of you and see how you grow and inspire others to achieve in times of tribulation.Have a great week.Michael J GriffinJohn Maxwell Team FounderELAvate Master Coach