Flexible business leadership is required at a time when it may feel like the coronavirus is changing the rules of the game on a daily basis. Right now, there are a lot of factors that you can’t control.
It’s okay if you’re struggling. Researchers have found that uncertainty can be perceived as a threat in our minds and hurts our ability to focus.
Flexibility has become an extremely important quality for business leaders. Let’s talk about some ways you can add this skill to your daily work:
Don’t Look Back
When I worked in TV news, there was always a chance that your story could change at a moment’s notice. Even if you were working on the coolest story in the world, breaking news could preempt it.
When this happened, it was best to focus on the new story and forget about the old one. You were forced to change and getting upset about, what could have been, was pointless.
You may have been enjoying a very profitable 2020 until the coronavirus changed everything. Accept that things are now different and your success may require a new definition.
Letting go of what was can open your mind to what could be. You can’t do that if you’re constantly thinking about the past.
Flexible Business Leadership with Employees
In a changing world, your employees will be starved for stability. Have open lines of communication about changes and opportunities.
This may represent an extra step but the less time employees spend worrying about uncertainty, the more time they’ll have to think about your goals for the present and the future.
Also, you may need to show flexibility in other ways with employees. You may need them to take on different roles, while also accommodating new needs from them. For instance, a working from home parent, who’s having to oversee a child’s school work, may not as responsive. He or she may require a different schedule.
Finding the right fit for everyone will be an evolving situation. Be patient with the process.
Flexible Business Leaders Change Plans
Let’s say you operate a restaurant that has to deal with fewer customers allowed inside. You’ve pivoted to offering your menu more through take-out service.
The take-out option is very popular but that creates a challenge. During certain times, there’s a long line of people wanting to pay and pick up their food.
The line and the wait could create social distancing issues or convince some customers that your restaurant isn’t a safe pick up location. As a result, short term success, leads to a decrease in business over time.
For leaders, you’ve got to be flexible in taking the new process and changing it slightly to meet the unexpected reality, which may come from unexpected success.
Perhaps, to reduce the line, customers are asked to wait in their cars and the food and the payment process will be brought to them. This way the restaurant can still do a lot of business but avoid social distancing problems.
These challenges can’t be ignored and smart leaders will have their eyes open to them.
Ken Okel Performs Virtual Keynotes
