Coronavirus – Leading through Disruption

Your Coronavirus response — a leadership opportunity.

Shutdowns, supply chain shortages, medical emergencies all represent situations that demand action. They push us out of our comfort zones. Right when it was almost safe to stop thinking about a possible recession, the unwelcome friend of uncertainty reappears.

How does one react?

Here’s a thought from history: the five-star General George Marshall – the only American general to ever receive the Nobel Peace Prize – offered up this advice back in the middle of a world war: “The truly great leader overcomes all difficulties…the lack of equipment, the lack of food, the lack of this or that are only excuses; the real leader displays this quality in his triumphs over adversity, however great it may be.”

Speaking from experience, Marshall added this note to leaders: “The more alarming and disquieting the reports received or the conditions viewed in battle, the more determined must be your attitude.”

In short, leaders must lead by example.

Marshall, together with business leaders of the 21^st century, note that leadership expressed in humble confidence gets results. If people trust a confident leader and believe that he or she has their best interests in mind, they will cast their support and follow through the toughest of times.

How does one apply this in the face of a potential Coronavirus pandemic?

Big things are important, but small things count.

• Leaders openly acknowledge that a problem or challenge exists, but they provide both a way of action and solicit feedback. Have you opened a communication channel with your employees or colleagues that addresses potential issues?
• Crises like what may come from the Coronavirus general spawn fear, anxiety, rumors and misinformation – if a vacuum of knowledge exists, people will manufacture information to fill it! Proactive, confident and humble leadership goes a long way toward addressing these issues. Anticipate their appearance and positively deal with them.
• Do you have a policy about working from home during adverse conditions? Is your network set up to securely allow employees to conduct business from their home office through the internet? (do your employees have adequate internet capacity to work from home? Can you provide short-term help to address this?)
• Even if your business stays open, how do your employees with children cope if a school closes or a child cannot attend school? How do employees get reimbursed for business use of their cell phones or data packages?
• Identify alternative suppliers, prioritize your customers, and if necessary, be prepared to reduce or even suspend some operations if conditions arise. Open channels of communication to your customers and suppliers. Be honest!
• In the face of COVID-19, a simple reminder to your employees that antibacterial soap or lotion is effective (and placing same all around your company) can send a small but important message: do your part.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) provides some guidelines for businesses to consider now:

• Every workplace should have a plan
• Actively encourage sick employees to stay home
• If someone shows up who appears sick (particularly a respiratory issue), separate them from other employees
• For employees who must travel, help them review updated traveler’s notices (several countries and areas already have restricted travel conditions)

Additional considerations include:

• For companies with remote locations, delegate authority to local managers to lead and positively react to local conditions.
• Where possible, start cross-training in the event that key employees may be absent
• If you face supplier and workforce issues, how can you adapt your business operations to stay open (or offer services remotely)?
• Exercise open leadership and positively involve your employees in the development of business operations plans – how can they help?
• What are medical and other benefits available to employees who need extra help?

The COVID-19 global lightning strike has already impacted millions. Disruption has already materialized through many areas. Exercise positive and confident leadership

At the time of writing this blog, COVID-19 responses have already wreaked havoc in various economic sectors in Asia, Europe and North America, with more to come.

But there is good news. Eventually this potential pandemic will burn itself out. Experts note that its potential medical toll on human life may fall well short of possible doomsday scenarios.

Despite foreboding news, companies and organizations can springboard back from current economic uncertainty – if they embrace new ways of leading through disruption.

Don’t be the wrong kind of statistic. Put your employees and their families first. Lead by example and overcome all difficulties!

This blog will be updated as conditions dictate.

Michael Snyder is Managing Principal of the MEK Group and is classically trained and experienced in crisis communication. For more information, please visit MEK.