Leading yourself and others through a crisis

To practice self-leadership and leadership during a crisis demands different tools than the ones we are used to, but we do not need to reinvent the wheel. In their article in Harvard Business Review, McGRegor and Doshi explain lessons learned during the 2008 finance crisis which can be applied to today’s Corona crisis. In this month’s newsletter we share three concrete strategies on how to lead yourself and others, and by that come out of the crisis even stronger.  

1. Plan and structure

For employees:
Write a to-do list to create structure. Also, it gives the brain a reward when crossing assignments off the list!
Create a home office, a place your mind can associate with productivity.
Keep the balance!Make a distinct difference between work and free time by starting and finishing the workday with for example a breathing exercise or a walk. 

For managers:
McGregor and Doshi recommend following this weekly rhythm, which was proven to be successful during the finance crisis in 2008.
Monday: Hold a performance cycle meeting covering the past week’s lessons and this week’s challenges.
Tuesday-Thursday: Individual check-in with each of the team members or smaller groups. Ask about what has felt challenging, rewarding and if they need any help.
Friday: Reflect upon the week that has gone by. What is the situation like and how are the employees feeling?

2. Communicate

For employees: The key to successful self-leadership is to get access to the information needed. Clearly express to your manager and colleagues what you need to be able to practice self-leadership and to feel safe during the crisis. 

For managers: Communication is one of the most important tools within crisis management. Being clear and transparent is crucial to create trust among the employees. Show yourself available, present and keep regular contact with them. 

3. Motivate

For employees: Stop and reflect on your dreams and goals, both personal and professional. Do you need to make a change or are you on the right path? By focusing on your goals, you can regain motivation and pursue your personal development. 

For managers: To engage the employees by letting them take part in solving important issues showed to be a successful way of increasing motivation during the 2008 crisis. Take in suggestions from the employees to find assignments that engage them. This will help you in your crisis management but will also make you as a team come out even stronger on the other side. 

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