What do people need in a leader when the world around us is filled with increasing volatility and uncertainty?
Imagine you’re in a small boat at sea when a storm rolls in…you can become disoriented, with no good sense of direction. It’s easy to panic and feel like you’ll never get back on course. You might even feel hopeless, that you may not be able to withstand the storm. Then suddenly in the distance you see a light…a lighthouse that gives you hope that you’re not far from the stability of land, that shows you a direction to go.
In times of uncertainty and volatility, be the lighthouse! As a leader, you need to take responsibility to be a source of stability, support and guidance for those you lead.
When the world around us becomes chaotic and unpredictable, human beings have the instinct to try find some sense of control. That can manifest itself in different ways, but you may notice that members of your team are not themselves. They may be incredibly stressed by the external chaos.
- Take time to be an empathetic listener, ensuring those you lead know you care about them as a person first and foremost.
- Communicate clearly and with transparency, providing a sense of stability to those you lead, staying true to your values and the mission of your organization.
- Help those you lead become more resilient by being flexible where you can to help your team stay on course while navigating the external stressors.
- Be decisive – there is enough uncertainty on the outside, don’t add to it internally.
Great leadership is always a work in progress! Working with a coach can help you focus on the areas in which you want to progress. If you’d like to take your leadership to the next level, contact ReWorking Strategies!