The power of leadership
It’s during times of crisis that real leaders come to the fore and
make their presence felt. These are the ones that, instead of focussing
on self-preservation, step forward and look for solutions, empowering
their people along the way. Change and uncertainty creates gossip and
confusion, making it difficult for employees to trust workplace culture
and leadership. Preventing this means engaging with employees,
acknowledging that uncertainty exists and working as a team to work
through the challenges together.
Leading a team requires mutual trust and respect. The best managers
are able to put themselves into the shoes of workers and act with
compassion, empathy and positivity. That means listening to concerns,
evaluating mind-sets and morale, being transparent and communicative,
and above all, acting confidently and decisively. By doing so, along the
way, good managers become an inspiration for those they lead.
Plan ahead
Preparation is a vital part of any organisational transformation.
Make a full assessment of organisational needs and balance it with
employee concerns. Identify where conflicts might occur during the
change process. Then you can create a contingency plan to mitigate
setbacks.
When job roles are impacted within an organisation, you can expect
‘people issues’. The concerns of one person or a group of workers can
create uncertainty that ripples through the organisation affecting
morale and performance. It’s not always possible to deal with these on
an individual basis, so decision makers need to sit down and develop a
formal approach, which can then be integrated into the strategy for
change. Here, a consultation with Eximium, followed by a HR and talent
audit, can ensure you get the best road map for your needs.
Effective communication: the key to successful crisis management
It’s inevitable that many organisations will see restructuring as a
result of Covid-19, with the potential for employees being moved into
new roles or even leaving the firm. Managing all of this successfully
means clear, honest and effective communication.
Fortunately, there is plenty that can be done to address all improve
communication, even in these times of social distancing. Managers should
where possible, use video-conferencing tools, instead of just emails or
phone calls to maintain that human connection while social distancing.
If workers are deployed from home, it can be better to
over-communication than under-communicate in order to check in on staff
wellbeing, as well as pre-empt business-related issues before they
occur.
Be flexible
Just about every organisations has introduced flexible working in
order to minimise disruption to their businesses. Being flexible in
terms of working from home is one thing, but managers should look at
other ways of being flexible in order to accommodate changes in the
personal circumstances of employees too. The goal is to improve employee
wellbeing and satisfaction, along with staff retention and engagement.
Even without a crisis, change is inevitable. It’s in everyone’s
interest to embrace it. As a manager, it’s your job to make that happen
by listening to the concerns of your people, communicating effectively,
focussing on the positive, and securing trust.
For more help on how you can do that, contact Eximium on +44 20 36 33 34 37 or email info@eximium.io