Be a great follower during COVID-19.
There’s so much talk on what leaders should be doing for their employees or teams during this time and rightfully so. However, we’ve forgotten the fact that leaders need the same support as their team members during this time. They are not exempt from the impact of COVID-19. Let me give you a list of 5 observable behaviors of how to be a great “follower” in support of your leadership during this time of quarantine.
Five ways to be a great follower, now.
Don’t assume your leader is not personally impacted by COVID-19. Your leader may be dealing with a family member or friend who has COVID-19. This may be creating extra stress, turmoil or pain. While leaders should take care of their people - great followers know that giving their leaders what they expect themselves demonstrates true servant leadership and “influence without authority.” Additionally, it enables your leader to experience a sense of understanding and support during this peculiar time. The question usually comes, “Why didn’t they just tell me?!” You don’t share everything with your leader, don’t expect them to share everything with you. Especially not now.
Give grace. Your leaders have never been through a global pandemic either. If you leadership team doesn’t know what and how to do anything for each moment of the day - give them grace. Had they known this virus was coming and would impact us as it has, they would have done something about it. Allow them time to process, evaluate options and make mistakes!
Create virtual solutions, don’t count problems. It is sooooooo easy to call out things that aren’t working well. Technology this. Priority that. Resetting goals and initiatives. Loss of customers. Concerns about morale. Don’t just point out the bad stuff. Take it upon yourself to do a SWOT analysis and create formidable virtual solutions for all of the problems that you see. Then, communicate to your leader that you’ve identified solutions to these issues and an executable action plan (that aligns with your leaders healthy values). You do this now and you’ll create a brand you can be proud of when this time is over.
Create a menu of things you can take off of their plate. Literally. “Let me know if I can help you in anyway,” is not helpful during these times. Think through specific things your leadership have said is important during this time or do not have time for. Then draft an email, document or PowerPoint so they can pick and choose which items they’d like to hand-off to you.
Don’t be a Judgmental Judy. Everyone reacts differently in situations of uncertainty, sickness and isolation. Just be a kind human. The way you handle things is just that - the way YOU handle things. Refrain from judgment statements, accusations or poor attitudes. The more joy you can bring to the Zoom meeting - the better.
The greatest reminder I can give you is to consistently remind yourself of your own humanity. After this, find creative ways to make life easier for those in leadership - whether they “deserve” it or not…this is humility.
ToluCoaches