What you do over the next few weeks will be remembered long after we have beaten this dreadful disease!
The turbulence and change we are all facing is challenging, to say the least, and leadership is being tested at all levels.
It’s important to create stability and focus as we learn and understand the gravity of the situation that Covid 19 has presented, and the impact this will have on us all long-term. It’s also a time when our Gravitas and Presence are important characteristics to nurture.
As leaders we need to be able to communicate effectively, walk the walk and talk the talk; to listen, inspire, motivate, and empathise. Let’s not forget the impact of stress and worry on individuals, so quite often empathy comes in the beauty of silence. Don’t shy away or feel embarrassed by silence, embrace it.
Communication is about creating and sharing meaning and, in these uncertain times, we need to recognise the power of connection and getting our communications right as much as possible.
What you say and do and how you say and how you do it is likely to be much more closely scrutinised at this time than it would have been just a few days before. So, here are a few of our top tips to help Leaders ensure that their communication withstands these testing times:
- Remember all your employees are being radically affected by the rapidly changing circumstances. A lot of people feel unsettled and frightened.
- Remember that Fairness, Respect, Equality, Diversity, Inclusion, Engagement (FREDIE) are golden threads that run through everything that you do and everything that you say. Your words and actions are impactful – choose them carefully.
- Be mindful and self-aware; we know it is tough, but your teams will be looking to you for guidance. Remain confident, know where your strengths are and how to use them to good effect.
- Think about how you convey your authenticity; this is about walking the walk. Being consistent and demonstrating credibility as well as cultivating trust via your actions, which will be remembered, therefore consider whether you can deliver on your actions before you communicate your plans.
- It is essential to reflect on your tone for both visual and non-visual communications. Be straightforward with your words, understand how you communicate with your body e.g. eyes, hands, posture, how you stand and vary your speaking voice – especially on virtual platforms.
- Project your confidence and authority. This is about how well you take on board, respond to and understand, the information you have to work on. It is also about being amenable to other opinions and if necessary changing direction so that your communications empower and motivate rather than having the opposite effect.
As with all change the key is good communication. Take the time to talk to your teams and think about where your focus will lie as you look to the present and future; be aspirational and positive where you can but remember FREDIE in all your communications with your team, customers and your service users. Everyone will be having similar concerns and worries.
For some those feelings may be more extreme than others – but remember we are all in this together.
