Image by Lisa Larsen from Pixabay
The invisible enemy, the coronavirus pandemic, has brought out the best and the worst in people.
Typical of every state in the union, consider some events in Oregon.
Fortunately, the state has good, sober-minded samaritans, as described by these headlines:
- “Coronavirus in Oregon: Locals scramble to get medical supplies to hard-hit Oregon veterans home.”
- “Facebook group connects Central Oregon people with help during pandemic.”
But here are two headlines describing pathetic behavior:
- “SUV window smashed, toilet paper stolen in Eugene.”
- “Oregon police want an end to 911 calls for toilet paper.”
With such panicky, chaotic behavior in troubled times little wonder such stress could spread to the staff in your business.
Even if you’re designated as an essential business and keeping your doors open, your workers know people are losing their jobs all over the nation.
So it’s important for you to maintain a healthy staff morale by taking steps to ensure your employees have faith and hope.
As in all crises, a mindset of “This, too, shall pass,” is apropos.
Words and behavior matter. That means being a positive role model with a true leadership style.
Show employees how to be fearless.
Simple rules to follow:
Unleash a calming effect by being highly visible
Whether they work remotely or at your location, be sure to teleconference or walk the floor twice a day. Engage your workers.
Show them how to cope with uncertainty.
Invite a dialogue. Respond to your employees’ concerns.
Answer their questions. If you don’t know the answers, be honest and promise to get back to them. Keep them updated and keep your word.
If you don’t feel calmness, fake it til you make it
Act as if this isn’t your first rodeo.
It certainly isn’t mine.
Nor is it my beloved 91-year-old mother’s first encounter with adversity. She and I laughed recently as I reminded her of her high school’s motto: “Find a way or make one.”
Be a positive example. Put on a brave face. Act as if you’re doing OK.
Show grace and poise. Show empathy for employees’ concerns but look for reasons to smile.
Be transparent
Be honest and open with your team. If your business is suffering, acknowledge it.
Meantime, solicit profitable ideas from your staff and strive for solutions.
Show eager inquisitiveness
To eliminate the emotional sting from negative events, response to a disaster should be treated as an adventure and as an opportunity for growth.
When you get bad news, don’t react with panic nor should you react with emotion.
Learn the facts. Know that for every problem, there are multiple solutions. So figuratively throw the darts to see what will work.
Otherwise, stay patient and poised.
Remember you’re leader of the organization. How you respond will determine the level of confidence employees have in you and the business.
From the Coach’s Corner, editor’s picks:
7 Morale-Boosters for Hope to Keep Your Business Alive – As you no doubt know, keeping a business going saps a lot of energy. Perseverance is key but it’s not possible unless you have hope. Here’s how to generate hope for success.
Upgrade Employee Morale Amid Coronavirus Social Distancing – The key is to focus on efficiency, which is enhanced by high morale, especially if many of your employees must work from home. Here are four tips.
HR-Social Media Tips for Best Employee Morale, Culture – Social media affects your company’s culture – probably as much as the employees who engage in water cooler gossip. It’s true. Your company’s reputation is affected internally and externally by social-networking sites.
Easiest Ways to Boost Your Employees’ Morale – Employee morale affects performance. Study after study shows a significant percentage of worker morale is mediocre, at best. That’s often the case even for companies that are able to pay competitive wages and benefits. As you might guess, it’s a bigger quandary for business owners that don’t have enough cash flow for raises.
Prevent Negativity, Gossip, Toxicity from Infecting Your Team – Your workplace can be damaged by difficult employees. You know what I mean – drama queens, gossipers and power grabbers. Here’s what to do.
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
-2 Timothy 1:7
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