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In the past month, or couple weeks (or couple hours) workplaces have shifted to a new temporary normal. We are all experiencing a time of either crisis, uncertainty, change, or all three and then some. For the time being. I’m going to be focusing on topics that are relevant to different aspects of these current circumstances.

Starting with how leaders need to show up right now in this time of crisis, uncertainty, and great change.

Leaders: Do not miss this opportunity

Right now is your time to shine as a leader. This is a chance to prove that you care about your people as human beings.

People are going through a lot right now, inside and outside of work, and this is the time to show up for them in a way that is significant, real, and authentic.

Make this about them, not about you.

As leaders, during times of great change or uncertainty a lot of weight and responsibility falls on your shoulders and mind. It can be easy to get consumed with those things and focus solely on yourself.

And despite that, the way you show up for your people now needs to be about them, not you.

Right now, you need to be asking your people how they are doing. Really ask and really care. You also need to be asking them how you are doing as a leader during this time and what they need from you. How can you do even better for them right now?

There's a lot on people's minds that goes way beyond what's happening at work for them. This COVID-19 situation is pulling the band-aid off how important it is for leaders and organizations to care about people as human beings first.

Leaders that are heart-forward, that have high emotional intelligence, that are being aware of their people, that are checking in, understanding, and having empathy for what's going on right now will rise to the top, and thrive, and their teams will come out stronger as a result.

Leadership presence. Safety, calm, security, and stability.

If you're on a ship out at sea, and the weather turns bad and it starts to get rocky, when you look to the captain you want the captain to be cool and provide a sense of calm and stability.

The last thing you want to see is the captain freaking out or acting like all they care about is saving themselves, and to hell with you.

It is time to step up and be worthy of the badge of leadership. To have some poise, presence, and rise to the challenge and the occasion.

People over profits, people before business. Your people have made your company successful for years, working hard on the front lines and executing your company’s business plan. It’s time to take care of them, and put them first.

The loyalty, trust, and connection that you’ll build with your people by putting them first right now will come back tenfold in their performance and engagement. People are watching, and they will remember how you showed up for them when they needed it.

Do not miss this opportunity, be an exceptional leader.

Featured resource:

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): NAMI provides advocacy, education, support and public awareness for individuals and families around mental health.

NAMI has a plethora of free online support tools to help businesses and people navigate time at home during the COVID-19 crisis. Check it out.

Want more?

This article was created by Galen Emanuele for the #culturedrop. Free leadership and team culture content centered on a new focus every month. Check out the rest of this month's content and subscribe to the Culture Drop at https://bit.ly/culturedrop 

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