It’s not an easy time to own a business, manage a company or be in a leadership position. With Coronavirus spreading in the United States, everyone feels the impact. From local businesses to schoolteachers to corporate leaders, no one is exempt. Across the country, there have been shutdowns of restaurants, schools, small businesses and large corporations, and it not clear when everyone will be able to return to a normal life.
Right now, leadership requires an extra measure of patience and compassion. If you are a leader in any capacity, you may have to make arrangements to work remotely and find ways to keep team members employed and busy. You may have to email more, worker harder, think more creatively and keep fighting to stay afloat, possibly for weeks or months. It’s going to be difficult, but that shouldn’t be an excuse for letting negativity take over your mentality.
Compassion is more important than ever. Your employees and team members feel just as confused and uncertain as you do. Be patient when they ask questions and offer reassurance where you can. Provide opportunities to keep working when you can. This is the time to employ both your emotional resources and financial capabilities for the good of those who rely on your leadership. Sometimes, good leadership requires you to put the needs and interests of others ahead of yourself.
Things are going to be more difficult for awhile, and even when we are allowed to return to normal, it may still not quite feel normal. There was never a guarantee that leadership would be easy, but your current situation may feel like more than you bargained for. Keep looking ahead – things will get better, and when they do, your team will be especially thankful for how you lead during this difficult period in history.
By Meagan Kerlin for Vertu Marketing LLC
