How things escalated with the novel coronavirus only within a few weeks is not merely scary but terrifying. Apart from taking a toll on people’s lives across the globe, it has been distressing the stock markets and economy atrociously. In tough times like these, employees have no other door to knock on other than that of their employers’. In the following section, we will be laying down seven ways in which, as a leader, you can lead from the front in uncertain times.
1. Remember that you are not alone in this.
When dealing with this pandemic, you must remember that you are not alone in this battle. If you have people working for you, ensuring their emotional, physical, and psychological wellbeing is inevitably a part of your responsibility. If you are finding it difficult to decide where to start this journey from, then visit credible sources like cdc.gov and the like to get your hands on a set of thorough and factual information.
2. Do not let financial concerns get in your way.
A common trait that all successful leaders of the present world share are that they do not let financial concerns get in their way of safeguarding their workforces. The chief objective here is to make sure that the working hours of the labors are abridged, and their health benefit costs are minimized. Leaders should, in some way, manage to give away at least $1,500 to each of their staff because, unfortunately, reports have revealed that most Americans do not even have as little as $400 savings to fall back on during health emergencies. If pay reductions are inescapable, try to slash the salaries of those who are in a more privileged position as compared to their contemporaries.
3. Be prepared for economic turbulence.
Leaders need to delineate financial models that include recession assumptions to prevent the businesses from falling on their faces if any economic turbulence hits the companies during the coming days. These models will help to improve their recession and post-recession policies and pick out dexterous personnel who will effectively strengthen the organization’s core again. Studies have shown that those companies which have maintained a precise record of all their advancements made in the preceding five years to make way for a diverse and inclusive workplace have shown stern resistance against financial predicament.
4. Reassess the sick leave policies.
During vulnerable times like these, the last thing that you would want as an employer is for your entire workforce to get infected by the deadly virus. Reassess the policies of your company’s sick leave at the earliest and make the necessary changes that would encourage the employees to stay at home when they are ill. This reassessment will accomplish two aims; firstly, the spread of the virus will be slowed down thus, “flattening” the curve, and secondly, it will ensure that both they and their colleagues are safe.
5. Steer away from layoffs as much as possible.
The prospect of layoffs shouldn’t be taken into account as long as there are other recourses. Companies that prioritize their workers above all outline effective strategies that will review their expenses and debt levels from time to time to have a cushion ready to absorb the financial shocks through the recession. If you have to let go of some of your employees, be fair and equitable with the verdicts.
6. Communicate transparently.
The forerunners of a company should always transparently communicate their ideas and decisions to the rest of the teams. This transparency allows the employees to form a clear insight into their fate awaiting in the future and prepare themselves for it. Letting fear and ambiguity persist in their minds will only make the situation worse and, consequently, further ruin their conviction and productivity.
7. Listen carefully.
Communication, just like a coin, has two sides; meaning, one cannot exist without the other. For the management and HR, leaders must capitalize on effective messaging channels to confirm that whatever is brewing in their minds is being fruitfully conveyed to the people with whom they work.
Regardless of how substantial the impacts of coronavirus are on all of our lives, we know, gradually, things will start falling into place, and we will get back to leading a normal life. It is principally a test of time, and by being together, we will indubitably get past this phase.
Recent Comments