Honestly Answer 4 of these Questions

If you can honestly Answer ‘Yes to any of these 4 questions, you’re ready to lead in a crisis.

Despite the uncertainty and fears we face -- fears from contracting or spreading the coronavirus to financial fears from loss of jobs, customers, revenue and lost opportunities -- there is one redeeming quality coming out of this terrible pandemic, which I can summarize in a simple sentence: 

In a crisis situation, great leaders always rise to the top. 

This is an immense opportunity for leaders to step up their game, show up with their best selves, and calm fears when people are scared. To gauge where you stand against the best leaders in times of uncertainty, ask yourself four crucial questions:

1. Are you communicating clearly and calmly?

Your highest priority should be to guide your employees through uncertainty and the unexpected to assuage fears amidst so much misinformation and "fake news." To do that, a clear vision of the immediate future should be communicated to your employees -- one with a simple, not complicated or confusing, message that sticks in people's minds and inspires them to action. 

2. Are you staying connected to your people, virtually?

Social distancing as a means to limit contact with other human beings does not mean human isolation. As the world goes remote in such a stressful time, this is the absolute wrong time for you to go MIA. As the leader, you should be ever more present, available, and sensitive to new demands, stresses, and the unknown. You can hold hang out sessions, host a virtual happy hour, set lunches together over video conference, or even create a digital workflow on the platform for an indoor fitness challenge and so much more just to stay connected.

3. Are you protecting your people's livelihood?

The pandemic and its effects on our lives wasn't our choice. We didn't ask for this. But as a leader, you can choose how to respond to it. 

One of the best ways to show strength in the face of crisis is to help sustain the livelihood of others, especially employees whose jobs have been lost indefinitely. While not all companies have the financial means (or belief) to keep paying their employees during a work stoppage, some CEOs live and die by the non-negotiable values of putting their people ahead of profits. You can do the same.

4. Are you reassuring your employees?

When the future is uncertain, many employees will look to you for reassurance and direction -- even though you might not have all the answers. Relax, we're all in this crazy ride together. It's OK to confidently express your own doubt or uncertainty while maintaining your authority.

Stay safe!