The Covid-19 pandemic has forced many business closures. Government leaders are issuing stay-at-home orders and the government is reopening in phases, having client sizes limited to 25%, 50%, and 75% for the health safety of our community. How can you lead in an ever-changing environment? How do you motivate employees and simultaneously search for the next product to keep the doors open? How can you change your management style to be an effective leader in such an uncertain future and to “do more with fewer” employees?
Leadership
I suggest submitting a survey on the qualities you want to see in a CEO (then commit to doing everything you can to meet these expectations).
Leaders must provide coaching, because no one got to be the best without constructive feedback, probing questions, and active teaching. Be honest and positive in all communication messages.
Look for opportunities to improve
- What’s new?
- Whats Next?
- What is better? And not only for you, but also for those around you.
- Find meaningful purpose to tackle your most challenging and difficult tasks.
Who are you and what are your values (then you give voice to those values)
The leader must affirm the shared values of the group.
Inspire a shared vision
- Visualize the future by imagining, exciting and enabling possibilities
- Engage others in a common vision by appealing to shared aspirations
- Imagine the possibilities
- Find a common purpose
Leaders who focus on the future attract followers more easily
- Read trends
- Listen to podcasts
- See documentaries
People view leaders who regularly talk about the “why” of work rather than just the “what” of work more favorably.
People who are leaders want to do something meaningful, achieve something that no one else has accomplished yet.
Motivate employees
- Cross training of employees on the roles / responsibilities of others
- Tutorships
- ‘what can I help you?’ … walking about 30 minutes a week
- Delegate responsibilities
- Brown Bag lunches (training)
- Praise and work for work over and above the normal activities of the day
Sending them to seminars
Ask them to make presentations
Quarterly corporate town hall meetings (teleconference)
Weekly Recognition of Featured Artists
- Walking
- Must be based on “visible” performance (daily if outstanding)
- Monthly meeting (recognize your artists)
Interaction of social networks with customers
- Do you have a scalable website (WordPress)?
- Do you have LinkedIn profiles on employees and products?
- Engage with customer markets on current events
- Weibo (china)
Eventually, some business owners will make the necessary changes to stay afloat, and some will drown. Sailing in rough waters requires a team effort, innovations, and commitment to overcome!
Your job as a business leader is to communicate, communicate honestly and positively to build trust in customers, employees, and shareholders.