Most nations remain in lockdown as the novel coronavirus death tolls surpass expectations. It’s not hard to understand what the new measures mean for businesses. Enterprises, such as restaurants, cafes, pubs, etc. have been forced to temporarily close their operations and it’s not possible to predict whether they will get back to normal any time soon. Surprisingly, some businesses are making a profit and are even looking to hire. Examples include supermarkets, hardware stores, and pharmacies. They are literally struggling with the demand and could use the extra help.
Companies that haven’t collapsed have managed to survive thanks to loyal employees who have agreed to work from home and use their insightful resources to keep the business going. Due to the situation created by COVID-19, entrepreneurs are facing unprecedented challenges. During these tough times, they have to prove that they are capable of leading. The combination of frightening uncertainty and physical and financial woes takes a toll not only on entrepreneurs but also on employees. Are you up to the test? If the answer is yes, please continue reading to find out how to effectively lead your team.
Improve the clarity of communications with employees
The novel coronavirus outbreak has forced business leaders to craft remote jobs to avoid cancellations and closings. Everyone is working remotely nowadays. People have to carry out their jobs while respecting social distancing measures in cities that are more dead than alive. The global COVID-19 lockdown keeps cities deserted and coworkers separated. In times of crisis, people should rely on regular communication. Knowing that we aren’t alone is the only thing that keeps us sane. As a business leader, you have to make an effort and keep all lines of communication open.
Employees are yearning for information. They don’t want to be left in the lurch. Reach out to the people in your organization and let them know that they don’t have to worry about tomorrow. If it’s necessary to make pay cuts or if you’re considering merging with another company don’t keep it a secret. Communicate your plan of action and build trust in your employees. Adequate communication reassures people in the age of coronavirus, so it’s important to give lots and lots of information. If communication isn’t particularly your strong point, there’s no better time than now to refine your skills.
Make a change in your leadership style
The business leader should provide direction, motivation, and help employees get the job done without material motivation. If you’re the type of person that likes to give orders, you might want to consider changing your attitude. It’s not the ideal approach during these hard times. What you need to understand is that self-isolation has a considerable impact on employees’ wellbeing and even the smallest thing can upset them. Instead of shouting out orders and complaining a lot, think about becoming more empathetic. It’s not necessary to be a trained psychologist. You just have to act like a human being, that’s all.
There’s nothing more important than being a positive leader during the coronavirus pandemic. Help everyone in the company stay focused on work and, when you’re not in such a great place, don’t show your true colors. The last thing you want is to make others depressed. What you need to do is to adopt a leadership style that fosters positivity and collaboration. The authoritative style couldn’t be more inappropriate. Be very careful about the way you handle yourself. You didn’t bring this situation about, but you can bring it to a better place.
Why don’t you think about relaxing the rules?
You don’t have to be a genius to understand that business doesn’t continue as usual. Employees are far, far away, while managers are stuck in their offices, all alone. If you fail to recognize the damaging effects of lockdown, employees will be very disappointed. Their needs, behaviors, and attitudes have changed drastically and, needless to say, it’s not their fault. Take into account the possibility of relaxing the rules. In other words, provide support in the nick of time. The relaxation of the rules will facilitate work and address the challenges posed by the coronavirus outbreak.
Employees who are parents are put in the situation of balancing work and family life. Their reaction to stress results, more often than not, in high blood pressure. In case you didn’t already know, uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to stroke and trouble with memory loss and impaired understanding. Studies draw attention to the fact that cannabidiol may help with high blood pressure. An application of CBD may be the best to take in this situation. According to the experts in the area of health and wellness at Organic CBD Nugs, cannabidiol reduces blood pressure and even has the power to reduce stress levels.
Getting back on topic, consider relaxing the rules. This means allowing your employees to home school their kids or to engage in activities that enable them to grow both spiritually and professionally, when the workload allows for it, of course. You have nothing to lose, you can be sure of that. Actually, the people within your organization won’t be able to thank you enough for your kindness and understanding. Rules can be temporarily relaxed to make it easier for people to continue with their lives.
Be there for your employees
Sometimes, you have to step aside and let nature take its course. Other times, it’s necessary to intervene. A true business leader is there for their employees when they need it the most. Consider giving your employees a little bit of tender loving care. People need to understand that you’re not just the boss. You’re the person who is committed to seeing them succeed. Besides empathizing with other people’s situations, you should invest time in the people on your team. Being there for your employees is always sustainable, so why not do it?
During these tough times, there’s no replacement for authenticity, so just be yourself. If in normal situations you behave professionally and don’t give others the chance to see the real you, now, you can do as you like because there’s nothing stopping you. Show employees your true colors and paint a different picture. The benefits of doing so are immense. You should try it sometimes.
