At a time when everyday life is altered, and drastic changes occur regularly, people look to leaders to provide guidance, organization, normalcy, and peace of mind. While they understand that you don’t have all the answers to these uncertain times, it’s your confidence, compassion, consistency, and communication that help to ease their concerns and inspire them to persevere. Although applicable to leaders in politics and beyond, let’s take a closer look at how inspirational leading is necessary in today’s business world.
Build Trust
When you can’t trust what’s going to happen from one day to the next, you need something you can depend on. An effective leader knows how to cultivate an environment of trust among their employees despite the unpredictability of current times. They provide the facts, communicate the intent behind their actions, and follow-through to the best of their abilities on promises. Trustworthy leaders are also not afraid to admit their mistakes or shortcomings.
Show Compassion
There is no time like the present to show a bit of compassion as a leader. While you expect your employees to perform their duties, you mustn’t overlook the many challenges they face during this global crisis. From taking on new roles and responsibilities at home to adapting to new technologies and policies in the workplace, several factors impact their ability to get their jobs done.
A compassionate leader is aware of these challenges and does everything they can to show their support. Whether it’s allowing remote teams to work flexible schedules or investing in a water softener to save on operational costs (and maintain payroll), employees are more inclined to put their best foot forward for leaders that go above and beyond to accommodate their needs.
Take Action
A company can say repetitively that they care about their employees and the community, but the words are pointless if they don’t take action. Compassion without application can ultimately cause confusion, disorganization, and distrust. As such, it is imperative for leaders to follow-through on the commitments they make. Whether it’s investing in the necessary technologies to allow high-risk staff to work remotely or ensuring you’re stocked with PPE to safeguard essential workers, what you say needs to align with what you do.
Provide Stability
Job security is at an all-time low in the wake of the pandemic. Businesses facing financial hardship have had to lay-off valuable employees while many other positions hang in the balance. The unpredictability of job security right now has caused a plethora of psychological issues for employees, making it challenging for them to perform at their best. During these times, they need a leader that provides stability in a practical and psychological sense. From discussing the pandemic’s impact on your industry and being transparent about employment to ensure that teams have everything they need to work effectively, leaders help ease workplace anxiety and inspire staff to press forward.
Communicate Hope
On an individual and team level, employees are inundated with doubt. They’re faced with so many different challenges that they’re afraid they won’t be able to succeed. As an inspirational leader, it is your job to send a message of hope. Your team needs to know that you believe in them and their ability to rise above challenges. As you discuss goals and company status, talk about the positives and progress made despite the pandemic. Let employees know in a group and individual setting how they’ve contributed to your success in these areas. Share your plans for the future and how you plan to reach those goals with your team’s support.
It goes without saying that the global pandemic has changed the landscape of business forever. The companies that will ultimately withstand these challenges and make it to the other side are those that influential leaders manage. Such leaders must know how to build trust, show compassion, take action, provide stability, and send messages of hope. Through these habits, they will inspire overwhelmed employees to press forward as you overcome current struggles as a team.