True leaders live for the “chips are down” moments. They love challenges, get excited about overcoming obstacles, and generally thrive in adversity. That said, there has been no lack of difficulties throughout 2020, as the coronavirus pandemic has thrown up hurdle after hurdle for businesses great and small to clear.
Even for those who are naturally cut out for leadership, the “new normal” can be a bit much to handle. If you’re a leader trying to keep your head above water while simultaneously navigating your team through these unprecedented times, here are a few suggestions to help you successfully lead your company through the chaos.
Adaptability Is the Key to Survival
A recent study found that 67% of small businesses have already adopted new behaviors as a response to COVID-19. Seventy-eight percent of consumers have done likewise. Like it or not, there’s a good chance that you’re one of the two-thirds of companies that have been forced to adjust how you do business in response to the pandemic — and that’s okay.
The truth is, the 21st-century business world was already rife with change and disruption before the COVID-19 epidemic even started. Technology, customer expectations, and a variety of other factors had already created an ever-evolving business environment. The coronavirus simply took this previously existing change and increased its intensity.
The resulting atmosphere has made one thing more important than all others: adaptability. If you can’t adapt to change, you’re going to struggle very quickly in the modern marketplace. Adaptability maintains a sense of agility and resilience as you and your team react to both the pandemic and whatever comes after it with an attitude of perpetual growth and continual learning.
Whether you’re rebuilding a disrupted supply chain, finding new ways to deliver your products to customers, learning to utilize new technology, or optimizing your website for a stronger presence online, a willingness to adapt is always the key to success.
Communication and Transparency Are Critical
Communication and transparency have become cornerstones of business activity in recent years. Both properly disseminating information to your staff and being open and honest about data that you share are critical aspects in developing a healthy company culture that can stand the test of time.
In the coronavirus era, these two aspects of business have become even more essential as managers and bosses find themselves leading their teams through unprecedented challenges. Communication is uniquely important now more than ever before as many teams find themselves adjusting to a new remote work environment.
Transparency also remains a top priority for leaders. On the one hand, big business managers must keep their companies well-informed about the risks involved in operational procedures as local, regional, and national COVID-19 protocols continually change. On the other hand, small business leaders must strive to keep their employees in the know regarding the state of their company as a whole. With so many small businesses on the brink of insolvency, it’s the painful duty of entrepreneurs everywhere to keep their staff as informed as possible about the future, particularly as it pertains to their livelihoods.
Employee Empowerment Is Essential
It’s easy for most leaders to lead by example — and that is certainly a requirement in the current crisis. However, it’s also important for leaders to empower their employees whenever possible, as well.
This is particularly helpful when your staff is operating remotely. Rather than requiring approval and various degrees of micromanagement, do your best to empower your staff to handle their work on their own. Provide them with the tools they need, from communication applications like Slack or Zoom to e-commerce tools like Square or 2Checkout.
By empowering your employees to do their job with minimal oversight, you encourage them to remain invested, loyal, and focused on the success of your business. This naturally smooths the path for leaders to guide, rather than drag, their team through trying times.
Positivity and Realism Are Equally Important
Finally, if they want to get through tough times with their business intact, employers and managers need to lead their teams with an approach that is equal parts positivity and realism.
In other words, when things go south, leaders should consistently be a source of hope as well as honest information. They must keep things like budgets and supply chains in mind while also encouraging their employees and helping them maintain a focus on the need to keep striving for collective success.
Surviving and Thriving in the Chaos
If you’re a leader, you should consider the unique challenges of the current times. With a long-term pandemic creating unforeseen and unimaginable circumstances, it can be daunting trying to lead your team through the ongoing chaos.
However, this isn’t the time to stick your head in the sand and wait for everything to blow over. The world — including business — is rapidly and actively evolving right before our very eyes, and it’s up to leaders to help their companies keep up with the rapid pace of change.
The gauntlet has been thrown, and only time will tell what companies survive the chaos. Nevertheless, each leader can do their part to improve their company’s chances of survival by successfully guiding their team through the new challenges that come with each new day.
