Building a Productive Team in the Midst of Uncertainty
While there are disputes among data out there, one fact cannot be ignored - we are navigating through times of uncertainty. And while much of the content we consume may come across as negative, my hope is this blog provides you with a healthy dose of perspective, optimism and encouragement. Especially as your organizations navigate a new normal.
This is how you build a productive team in the midst of uncertainty.
Listen, organize, and communicate
As organizational leaders, it’s important to realize that your teams are all dissecting information about this global pandemic, and it’s overwhelming. Thus, in an effort to build trust within your team, I suggest that you find trustworthy sources, compile organization-specific information, and communicate how the COVID-19 outbreak affects your team directly. In doing this, you’re providing accurate and applicable information to your team about how the virus impacts them and your organization.
Additionally, right now there is no official playbook for how (most) organizations are supposed to handle a global pandemic. So, as leaders it’s important that you listen often, communicate what’s necessary, show appropriate concern, and actively engage with your team’s questions, emotions and instinctual responses.
Remember, there are a lot of competing voices out there. Try and be a voice of compassion, reason and optimism; especially as it relates to your organization.
Understand that the unknown is scary
It’s important that organizations acknowledge the unknown, without encouraging or enhancing fear. The reality is that many of your team members are likely scared (or worried) about what’s ahead.
And it’s okay that you don’t fully know either.
My suggestion is that instead of trying to answer the question, when will we get back to normal, that you instead create a realistic pace for your team’s energy. Keep in mind that they are, as I mentioned above, likely overwhelmed by the happenings in the world. Thus, consider creating some specific standards to operate within this new normal.
In doing so, you’re providing a framework for your teams to succeed in; ultimately showing them how to be productive in the midst of uncertainty.
Be extremely careful with your words
As unemployment rates continue to rise, gainfully employed individuals continue to ask questions about their current professional situations. And while maybe you’ve had to make changes to your teams during this time, it’s important to understand this.
Now, especially, is the time to be extremely careful about how you communicate human resource information with your team.
Keep in mind that a comment in passing can take one of your employees down a rabbit hole of fear and worry; even if the comment is not about their specific employment. Instead, by being careful with your words, you’re protecting the mind of your team members, and keeping them productive at the same time.
Remember, change doesn't have to be a bad thing
When this is all done, we’re headed back to a new normal; emphasis on the word new. While this seems to be a common phrase that organizations are using, I’d like to remind you, and your teams, that change, or a new normal, doesn’t have to be a bad thing.
One example to share with your teams is this: If you remember after 9/11, many of our airports adopted new security measures to protect airlines and their travelers. While 9/11 was incredibly tragic and horrible, in many ways the new normals created from that day have and continue to hold lasting and positive impact.
In the same vein, our society might not come back to the normal your teams previously knew, but that doesn’t mean that we’re heading backwards as a society or organization. In fact, there is tremendous opportunity to innovate and adapt moving forward. As leaders, lean into that message instead.
As we all navigate through this pandemic together, it’s true that we all navigate it differently. My hope is that this blog provides you some perspective on how your organization can help facilitate productivity in the midst of uncertainty.
To learn more about how to lead your specific team in the midst of this pandemic, I’d love to have a conversation.
Be safe. Be intentional. Be productive.
-E