It has been more than a year since the Covid-19 pandemic struck the world. But then, cases after cases are still being reported each day. Some businesses had no choice but to stop their operations. Successful brands were able to stand strong since they made many changes just to deal with the new normal. If there is one thing for sure, that is the fact that good leadership played a huge role in businesses surviving the Covid-19 recession.
Every aspiring entrepreneur could learn a thing or two about how they can show great leadership especially in the middle of a crisis. Some brands stood out and showed resilience thanks to the quick-thinking and efficient leadership of their leaders. You too can do the same by adopting the following practices:
Stop Wasting Time
Perhaps one of the best lessons we can all learn from the pandemic is to start acting with urgency. Not all business leaders had a pandemic-proof contingency plan. But since this is a health crisis we are facing, the quick-thinking and willingness to act fast is what helped them keep their employees safe without compromising their operations.
Take tech CEOs Jack Dorsey and Mark Zuckerberg as an example. They were among the first to allow employees to work remotely. This is to ensure the safety of their people while keeping up with the demands of their customers.
Acting with urgency challenges most people’s tendency to delay and procrastinate. As a result, many of their employees continue to provide for their families. They opted to work smart and embrace the new normal in exchange for efficient operations in the middle of the crisis.
Practice Employee-First Attitude
Most employers were concerned about how they can continue making money during the crisis. But for good leaders, this is the best time to show empathy by putting their people and customers first. They worry about their employees’ health and the company’s ability to continuously cater to their customers in times of crisis.
So, what they did is to focus their efforts on protecting their people. It may seem unlikely. But this resulted in an increase in sales and patronage.
Companies that continue to support their employees the best way they can are currently reaping the rewards. They updated their policies to boost the confidence of both customers and clients. Showing they worry about everyone’s health and safety shows how great leadership should be.
Before the pandemic, many companies already adopted policies that aim to care for their employees. Some offer gym memberships, free healthy food options in the office, and even work from home arrangements. Others even offer professional telehealth services offered by pain clinics to ensure their employees’ health and wellness.
Business leaders showed empathy to their employees by ensuring everyone gets regularly tested for the virus. They made special arrangements for their most vulnerable employees. By keeping their talents safe, they get to continue benefiting from their skills even from afar.
Show Empathy to Customers
As for their customers, they thought of ways to make their services more accessible. Most businesses now offer fast deliveries while maintaining health safety standards. They are also offering discounts and freebies to loyal customers who are having a hard time during the pandemic.
Business leaders made sure their brands show empathy to consumer struggles during the crisis. They changed their marketing strategy to make sure their customers know exactly what they are doing to keep up with health and safety standards. They show transparency in everything they do to give customers peace of mind.
Good leaders also make sure they continuously communicate and engage with their clients. They try to spread a message of hope and empathy during these trying times. They do this while addressing issues their clients are dealing with in a timely manner.
Focus on Correcting Mistakes
Most people would try to prove their point and find blame in others during a difficult time. But great leaders are humble, realize whenever they make mistakes and are willing to correct the issue. They don’t dwell on the past nor do they point fingers.
As a business leader, your goal is to lead your business to success. Even if you make mistakes, own it, apologize, and focus on solving the issue. Move on and do better the next time.
Learn from whatever mistakes your brand makes. Choose to be responsible and show your subordinates how to lead with humility and integrity. While it is important to address the crisis, it is more essential to focus on finding solutions.
There are no perfect leaders. But there are many good leaders who are efficiently leading their brands because of their goal. They make sure to pivot their business in the middle of a crisis where uncertainty is abundant. You too can do the same for your future brand.