A Leaders Mindset During Covid-19
It's your time to lead. We are in what appears to be the beginning phases of this COVID-19 pandemic. A pandemic is an epidemic of disease that has spread across a large region, for instance multiple continents, or worldwide.
Two steps everyone must collectively embrace to ensure we slow the spread of this virus.
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Prioritize Safety and Health of our families, friends, neighbors, co-workers by washing our hands, not touching our face, and limiting the amount of people we maintain physical contact.
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Combat the Spread of COVID-19 by following appropriate local, state and federal government guidance on social distancing, limitations on group gatherings, etc.
Guidance on Our Mindset
It's critical that we change our mindset as we plan and maneuver through this unprecedented set of circumstances:
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Yesterday’s Mindset: “I must operate in a way to avoid getting the virus”
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Today’s/Tomorrow’s Mindset: “I must assume I have the virus and must operate in a way to prevent infecting others.”
With this mindset at the “point of delivery,” leaders should focus on executing programs using contactless delivery and virtual delivery and refrain from programs that hinder our efforts to combat the spread. Leaders must implement this guidance within their homes, workplaces, and social environments.
Build Trust. Earn Respect
During a circumstance of significance, we reveal our true nature and core values and beliefs. We must build trust by being consistent, authentic, empathetic and open to change. Communication is definitely critical. This is how we earn respect; by respecting others while redefining boundaries, offering appropriate support, and holding people accountable.
When I served in the US Army, I noticed that people who fancied themselves as too busy to:
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Pray
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Meditate
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Consider the shortness of our life spans
Over my 27 years of service in the US Army I saws people I thought were emotionally, mentally, physically and technically sound, allow fear to stifle any forward momentum. They were great leaders during routine, structured times. However, they were broken:
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At the first sign of conflict
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When someone challenged their authority or their guidance
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When made to feel uncomfortable.
It’s your time to lead! Your team is expecting you to care about them individually, be consistent and authentic.
At a time such as this when everyone is adjusting to a New Normal sharing the why builds trust and confidence. Ensure you convey that perfection is overrated. Progress is the goal.
I'm rooting for you,
Angela
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Angela M. Odom is a leadership coach and an author of BRONCO STRONG: A Memoir of the Last Deployed Personnel Services Battalion and a contributor to Camouflaged Sisters: Leadership Through The Eyes of Senior Military Women Leaders
ONLINE: ANGELA M. ODOM I Instagram I Facebook I LinkedIn I Twitter I You Tube
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Angela
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