Leadership in times of uncertainty, fear and change…

We are indeed in unprecedented times. What’s different and unusual is that it’s tough for many of us, not just a few.

Times like these call for authentic and effective leadership. Leadership that acknowledges the opportunities and challenges ahead. The opportunities can be hard to see for some of us amidst the crisis. Carbon emissions are down due the enormous cuts in aviation, we are finding new ways of working virtually rather than travelling. Many of us are concerned and keen to help those who are less fortunate or more at risk of falling ill, bringing out our innate humanity – all good things that have the potential to stay with us well beyond the current crisis and thus shape our future.

The challenges call for leaders to rise above the situation, see the bigger picture and think about how their words will impact the people they speak to.

People are working from home, many are isolated, not necessarily in self-isolation but just isolated. Those without families who live alone will feel vulnerable because they are alone. Those who have their loved ones close might struggle because they are piled on top of each other. The uncertainty means people are worried about health - their own and that of their loved ones and friends.  And then there’s money – what will happen to me if things collapse, if my money runs out, if I can’t pay my mortgage? All incredibly scary thoughts. And these thoughts are happening to huge numbers of people simultaneously. The pace of change is vast and fast and many wonder what is next; some fear the worst. It’s easy to stoke the fear engine. It can be unhealthy and unhelpful too.

Leaders need to strike a balance between denial (all will be well) and panic (this is an utter disaster). The truth is somewhere in between. The world will go on, just not as we knew it.

So, leadership during these challenging times requires thought, care and skill. Here are some thoughts for leaders to reflect on to help you make a difference to those you lead.

1.    A critical question to ask yourself is: How am I? How resilient am I right now – mentally, emotionally, physically? The more resilient you are, the more helpful you will be to your organisation, team, community and family.  It’s the bit they say on airplanes ‘put on your own life vest before helping others’. What do you need to up your resilience levels? Find a way to reflect in silence or meditate, creating mental space, do physical exercise, make sure you get a good nights’ sleep, talk about what’s happening with someone you trust, generally offload so you can gain perspective and clarity?

2.    Empathy is crucial right now. When you communicate with people, ask yourself, how might they be feeling right now, what are their fears and concerns, how will what I say contribute / alleviate that? Walk in their shoes, be them and then decide what you need to say to help the situation.

3.    Be open and transparent where you can. People want certainty. We want to know what happens next. The reality is we never know. Right now that is ever more obvious. Be honest about what you can and can’t do. Let people know what you don’t know and where you can’t make promises. People accept that, they hate being lied to or being treated like children who need to be protected. Trust gets built through openness and transparency and, of course, some things you won’t be able to say or share…so say that.

One of the key questions to ask yourself might be: Who do I want to be in this crisis? What would I like people to say about me when it’s all over? What would I be proud of having done / said?

This might just be the opportunity for you to be the leader you want to be.