The last and a half years have been a lesson in the uncertainty and precariousness of life. People have had to adapt to accommodate their new reality in all spheres: schools changed to electronic learning, families faced blockages throughout the country and companies worldwide in the transition to remote work.
In such unprecedented times, employees naturally resorted to their leaders for their support and management. While our previous blog publication explored how effective leaders could support the mental health of their team, it is equally vital to restructure and reorganize commercial practices to forge a path through uncertainty.
Here are some ways in which you, as a leader, can lead effectively through uncertainty:
Embrace adaptive leadership
In the midst of a global economic and health crisis, you cannot always expect to fulfill its regular commercial routine from 9 to 5! Have honest and open conversations with your team and your customers, and discover what commercial practices you can meet and which ones can be discarded or modified.
Do not be afraid to adopt a new technology! Innovators are taking advantage of the best of pandemic and constantly present new applications and characteristics. These could be the commercial solutions you need!
As has the case in many countries (especially with the threat of the Delta variant), you can find that your business moves from homework to work from the office and back! Remember that each new situation requires new leadership approaches: what worked for the first block may not work for the second.
Gather employees together
You are not the only one who faces uncertainty, so is the rest of your team. Their role as an effective leader is to help them find their purpose and restore the importance and identity of the business to remain committed to their work.
During uncertainty, work can keep employees focused and provide them with a feeling of stability. Strengthening this creating a mantra of how your organization and your people will resurface from this pandemic stronger than ever.
It can be evident, but it is easy for a person to feel isolated during locks. Organize activities or equipment construction workshops so that your team knows that you can count each other and to share your concerns openly.
Ask for help
As a leader, he may feel that the fate of his team and businesses rests completely on his shoulders. This concern can be exacerbated because although you say that the situation will improve, you do not know when it will. Pandemic unpredictability affects all aspects of business planning.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help! Trust your team for your support. If you have problems with commercial planning, contact your network and talk to people from other industries to obtain a more precise evaluation of the situation.
Remember that you don’t have to have all the answers! It would make you a stronger and more humble leader to admit your own apprehension. It is fine to fail: continue testing new commercial solutions until you find the one that works for your team.
Pamela Wigglesworth, CSP is an international marketing consultant, speaker and executive director of Experiential Handson Learning based in Asia. She is the author of the 50-60 Subthing Start-Up Entrepreneur and works with organizations in multiple industries to help them increase brand awareness, increase potential customers and, ultimately, increase sales.
