7 mistakes to avoid as a leader in this time

Foto: boggy22 / depositphotos.com

We are living in challenging times. There is an incredible pressure on leaders too, to maintain performance despite tough limitations imposed by corona and a quite unclear future about where the business is going. It is not surprising that some of us make mistakes. I have identified 7 typical mistakes that you may avoid on your professional playground.

Be careful what you communicate

Your team is watching you carefully, especially in these uncertain times. They listen to your every word in order to find out what is really going on. If your messages are ambiguous or unclear, you create a fertile ground for rumors. If you communicate too little, or superficially, they will search to get more answers from other sources, such as the Internet. More panic and drama may spread around you. Your message should be very clear, and also combined with a good dose of honesty, especially when it is about painful decisions like the need to make people redundant. Make processes and next steps very transparent, so that they can be followed. This often sets from the very beginning a frame of orientation. Important is the trust that your collaborators have in you to manage any situation. Be aware of your body language that sometimes communicates something different than what you are really saying. It is also proven that difficult discussions are better held when you are physically present in the same place with your team, rather than online.

Take decisions too quickly

Many leaders panic very quickly and may take hasty decisions which turn out to be wrong later on. Yes, during a crisis period, we are in survival mode so take your time to get a clear idea about what is going on. Keep cool and find out what is happening. Step back a bit from your daily work. Deciding too quickly is as wrong as not deciding at all. In this context it is important that you trust yourself to face that situation, or at least to stay on track without getting distracted. Also use the possibility to reflect together with your closest collaborators before going public. You may obtain precious insights from them and they feel integrated into the process.

Only give negative news

Some of us tend to focus only on communicating negative news. This adds up to the negative mood in which many colleagues already are. Motivation will often go down dramatically. We all know that people need a dose of hope, they need the impression that everything that can be done is done to get out of the crisis. The leader should therefore not forget about the good news, that he appreciates certain behaviors and fosters solidarity between colleagues. There are also good examples to put forward, in any company. The definition of a clear road map also helps to deliver the message that we are in control, e.g., a clear definition of steps to deal with corona inside the company. Find the right cocktail of good and bad news, and you will see the result quickly.

To become too directive

It is quite common that we tend to keep everything under control when stressed out. We become directive, sometimes loud and disrespectful. It is a fact that the present VUCA world cannot be managed by one person alone. What you would need is an efficiently working circle of collaborators with different backgrounds that can together make decisions and follow up on them. Paradoxically, it is more about letting go, than about control. Smartly delegating tasks and trusting your team will help you keep your mind free to see the big picture without getting drowned in details.

Withdrawing from the battlefield

In my world, as a coach, I can observe from time to time that top managers are not sufficiently present on the scene. They feel uncomfortable exposing themselves and answering delicate questions. They prefer staying at home, communicating via others, or only in written form. It is clear that during corona times possibilities to meet physically are very limited, but nevertheless people notice if their bosses are physically present in the company, if they are still available despite restrictions. Do not forget that especially in these times, your teams need you as a guide and reference point. You need to be visible, and present.

Not caring enough about your team’s emotional state

Indeed, we spend a lot of time in video calls. Communication is shorter and more to the point. This may be a gain in efficiency. On the other hand, neglecting the relational part proves to be fatal. How many leaders are really able to ask their colleagues how they feel during these times? Not many. These are exactly the moments to demonstrate that you care about your guys and support them. It is important for them to feel that they are part of the team, now more than ever, and to be appreciated. Book some time for this, every day.

To neglect your own inner balance

As a leader, you are much better if you have personal balance. People will feel that. Running around and being hectic about things does not help anyone, you may end up in a crisis yourself, or even burnout. Maybe this crisis is a good opportunity to take more care for yourself. Become the calm eye of the hurricane. This is a perfect moment to practice yoga, mindfulness or any other form of meditation. Watching more of the inner world may help us to better support the changing and often stressful outer world.

Dr. Michael Schroeder