Communication and Leadership in Times of Crisis

Communication and Leadership in Times of Crisis was the title of my seventeenth newsletter issue. This post is an excerpt from it.

If we are going to adopt full-time remote work or any other temporary solution, it will be helpful to keep in mind some tips for improving communication and support teams.

Being there for people will be more important than ever in the next months.

Remember that given the situation, the uncertainty, and in some cases, solitude, people will probably suffer from stress and anxiety. Isolation is not only exclusive for people that live alone. Depending on the personality, you’ll also find very sociable people that will suffer from it.

Communicate frequently, be accessible, and give support

Some teams practice daily meetings and weekly meetups, but consider seriously scheduling them and keeping everybody connected. And take extra time to chat a little about off-topics. Give some time for improvising casual and informal talks and have some fun!

Also, provide a channel for exchanging feedback and help. I recommend you to schedule time for listening. Some people will need special attention and support, don’t wait to hear it from them, ask.

Be interested in your team’s habits and home environment

People should attach to a routine, working time should have a clear start and end time. WFH allows us to conciliate, but that doesn’t mean that we will do it right.

Remember the people that pauses are necessary for efficient work, that our brain only can focus 45 minutes.

It is important to watch out for the signs of stress and burnout. Depending on the situation, remember to lead with vulnerability, show empathy, and offer flexibility.

Leading in uncertain times

This week, Amy Edmonson shared a video from TED about How to lead in a crisis. In uncertain times, when people look for security, leaders must:

• Communicate with transparency, humility, and often. Share what you know and admit what you don’t.
• Act with urgency. Inaction leaves people feeling lost and unstable.
• Hold purpose and values. Values can be your guiding light when everything else is up in the air.
• Share power and control. Ask for help, give people a purpose, and work as a team.

Amy explains much better, so please check it out.

Don’t forget to be selfless and compassionate

Before ending, I am going to share the last article from HBR from the Dalai Lama on Why Leaders Should Be Mindful, Selfless, and Compassionate.

We are naturally driven by self-interest; it’s necessary to survive. But we need wise self-interest that is generous and cooperative, taking others’ interests into account.

I hope you liked it. If so, please share it! Do not hesitate to add your comments. And, if you want to stay up to date, don’t miss my free newsletter.

As always, thanks for reading.

Also published on Medium.