In 2020, business executives and managers courageously coped with a wall of demands that came with leading through the unprecedented and ongoing global crises presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. “Pivot” and “agile” became part of the leader’s daily lexicon. Confronted with dramatic revenue drops, changes in consumer behavior, and supply chain obstacles, many leaders made painful and draconian staff cutbacks or sent their employees home to operate under a new remote-work paradigm. Others who were able to successfully adapt, gain market share, and add staff, were nonetheless stretched to their limits. For both groups, the ongoing requirement to maintain morale, and keep remote teams engaged and inspired, got tougher.
In the early days of the pandemic, we could be forgiven for our naïve hopes that we were in a sprint. It is abundantly clear now, however, that leading through the pandemic and its consequent economic upheaval is a marathon. The pressure on leaders has never been greater, and with a bumpy introduction of vaccines, that pressure is unlikely to diminish anytime soon.
Whether leading a corporation, a department, or a team, the pressures of keeping your business viable and your teams functioning can take a toll on you both physically and mentally. Attending to your own wellbeing will keep you operating at your maximum effectiveness at work, and at home, during these epoch times. Use these five tips as a guide:
- Regularly take stock of your personal situation
Nobody has escaped losses during this pandemic. If you have lost family, friends, colleagues, or employees due to COVID – or any other reason, loss takes a profound toll on us. Other sacrifices also take their toll, such as not visiting with family or friends, being prevented from supporting relatives in need, or possibly needing to take time to quarantine. Reach out for support for your own losses and personal challenges, and don’t exclude discussing them at work. This encourages employees to do so as well. Your transparency as a leader humanizes you and garners respect. - Avoid “high-achiever syndrome”
High achievers have high expectations of themselves, but you should expect to experience shortcomings. There are even more “moving parts” in your life to manage: complex decision-making, competing demands for your attention such as educating and caring for children at home without help, the need to take on more work due to cutbacks. The requirements for adaptability in this period are unprecedented. Even you will likely fall prey to being distracted, forgetting things, and feeling overwhelmed – as will management and staff who report to you. Forgive yourself and them. You’re human, and despite the leadership role you have assumed, you’re fallible. Notice mistakes and course correct. Support other leaders on your team. And remember to apologize when it’s appropriate. Nothing endears a leader to their followers more than an acknowledgment of mistakes. - Trust and Delegate
Cutting back personnel will leave you and many of your managers on the hook to meet goals with fewer resources. Of course, you’ve been delegating. But the speed of change and imperative to re-invent during the pandemic require more empowerment of others than ever before. If you don’t trust those to whom you are handing off projects, then you need to ask yourself, “why not?”. If they lack a skill or ability, invest in their training or coaching. If they are just not up to the job given their own new challenges, consider moving them to another position and replacing them with someone that is a better match for the job. Having the right people in place will remove a management burden and free you for greater productivity. - Maintain Your Health
Though it is often the first thing to drop in a crisis, self-care is crucial. You know the drill: exercise to reduce stress, avoid unhealthy foods, meditate. Don’t forget mental health. If you need help, don’t short yourself on this level of support; reach out to your support systems, colleagues, and friends, and encourage others in your organization to do the same. Your emotional stability and good health will not only serve you personally over this marathon, but it will also help you weather whatever challenge is around the next bend and lead your organization into the future. - Schedule your Self Care
Establish the same discipline for self-care that you do in your career. Coping with the demands of ongoing marketplace changes will not end anytime soon. Your health and wellbeing are crucial if you are to meet those demands. Calendar and implement your exercise and mental health regimens with the same commitment as your scheduled work appointments. You can extend the benefits of this practice as a role model to your organization by sharing your commitment to self- care with your employees and urging them to do the same. This will not only instill confidence in you as a leader it will build loyalty when they recognize that you have their wellbeing at heart.