Intentional leadership in a global pandemic

You have been leading your team for six months in a global pandemic. There's no reasonable expectation when things will return to pre-pandemic conditions or even what that will look like. Much has changed and is continuing to evolve about the way companies do business and the ways of working for employees. Across the world, there has been a shift in how we work, worship, entertain, exercise, and engage. So, how do we lead in a pandemic environment?

Here are three guiding principles while leading in this pandemic:

1. Cut some slack

2. Clarify your priorities

3. Communicate your expectations

Cut some slack

Your team is working from home, figuring out boundaries between home and work and guiding their children through virtual learning. There is palpable anxiety about health and safety in everyday activities. Job security and financial stability are top of mind. In all of this, how your team gets their work done will look different. The work may have been completed within a day, may take a few days or a week to get done. The time of day and that the team is “online” has probably shifted. The interruptions and distractions that your employees faced in the office from coworkers has been compounded by family needs. The desire to do meaningful work, while societal norms are being reshaped, has increased for most. In these conditions, it’s reasonable to expect that work may not get done as quickly or even with the same amount of quality. This is a time for perspective and context - cut everyone some slack - good enough is probably good enough.

Clarify your priorities

You can support your team in managing their focus and energy by having them work only on the most important things - your company’s priorities. First, revisit the priorities established at the beginning of the year. Next, identify the shifts in priorities based on pandemic impacts - reducing costs, maintaining customer relationships and identifying alternative revenue streams are likely to be at the top of the list. Now, clarify those priorities by asking yourself, your leaders, peers and stakeholders a few questions:

• What are the most important things the company needs to achieve and when?

• How does your team support those goals?

• What actions does your team need to take?

The answers will shape your priorities. You only want to assign work that will benefit these priorities and is feasible to attain. Include your team into this clarifying process. Their insights in being closest to the work, will help you answer the questions about feasibility and benefits. Involve your leaders, peers and stakeholders in the re-prioritization as well. This will strengthen the support and alignment of priorities as your team’s work progresses.

Communicate your expectations

Now that you have re-established your priorities - tell everyone - starting with your team. Share what is most important to complete and why. Identify the risks to completing the work and proactively plan alternative approaches to address issues. Adjust your team’s work assignments to support the priorities. Meet with each team member to discuss how the priorities will be carried out within their individual responsibilities. Answer questions, discuss ideas and concerns about the priorities and the impacts to the team's work. Have the team share their plans on how they will approach the work. Align on the action plan including how communication will flow amongst the team on how the work is progressing. Discuss your priorities at every single meeting. If you’re meeting about something that is not related to the priorities, re-evaluate having that meeting and your team’s role in that work. Facilitate ongoing discussions about what is tracking well for completion and the issues preventing progress. As a team, problem solve how those challenges can be overcome. Promote those resolutions by continuing to engage with your leaders, peers and stakeholders to rally their support for your team’s work.

By offering grace to everyone as personal and professional concerns have taken new weight, being crystal clear on the work that needs to be done and staying in consistent communication with all of your stakeholders, you will lead with intention and positive impact during this global pandemic.

How has your leadership approach changed since the pandemic began?

By Akshea Johnson, Visioncast Consulting

10 September 2020