Leadership During a Pandemic
The pandemic has destroyed many of the illusions that business, as well as society, has held onto. The fear leadership model is one of them, and I couldn’t be happier of that. I have been in a leadership role for the last 10 years. I have never liked the fear tactic that some people confuse as strong leadership.
When I talk about the fear leadership model, I am commenting on the either or attitude. If you catch yourself telling your team members that they need to do A, or they will be reprimanded, that is the fear model.
The contrary to that, is to explain to them the needs of the business and try to get them to internalize it. Getting team members to internalize the needs is to make it relevant to them. That is why good leaders understand that each team member is different, and so obviously has different needs.
The best way to get them to internalize is to be honest. There is no need to con them with lies, or bully them with threats. I have had very honest and practical conversations with team members. No, not every job is a forever position, not every company the dreams of the team, but how do you make the work they do relevant to the dreams and aspirations that they do have? That’s the question that good leaders ask.
The pandemic has changed this dynamic a bit, but the truth of this still stands. I recently resigned from my management position due to the company attempting to fear monger the team. After my resignation, many team members also resigned. They have since asked me back, and its a no. A toxic work place wont change with the same leadership.
The view I have of the team, and why the pandemic is putting an end to this fear model, is simple. Do this or you loose your job, but the medical professionals out there are saying do this and you might die, or even worse bring home a virus that kills your loved ones. It’s a simple choice. The fear of poverty has been disempowered, because a person still breathing has options.
As I was managing for months into the pandemic, I had my own unique approach, and I hope it helps anyone who is still in a leadership role currently. My approach when I was still employed were two fold:
- For one, in a moment when the world is full of fear. Team members need to be put at ease. Their fears need to be taken serious and not brushed off. People feel at their worse, when they feel powerless. So empower them, make them feel needed and appreciated.
- Secondly, the tone of any company should be the truth. We have never operated during a wide spread pandemic. We are trying to figure this out, and we ask all team members to participate and bring any concerns to our attention. So that we, together, can make it through this pandemic.
Any company doing the opposite, is sure to fail.
