Has Covid Changed Leadership?

Summary of the last 10 months. We have been exposed. Exposed to a virus, exposed to the faults in our systems of government/economy/production/outsourcing. Exposed to the constant distraction of needing to be looped into the news cycle to be aware if we are allowed to go outside or get groceries at certain times of the day. Trust me, I have been hawking the news waiting for the gym to be open. This will give you some stress. Not surprising. I am sure there will be numerous studies on those of us living through this; as we age and how Covid and uncertainty of everything made us more at risk for some long term degenerative stress-induced illness or syndrome. Buzzkill.

So the stress is clear and present for you, for your team. What has changed in leading them? My hypothesis, nothing has changed. I can hear everyone saying “what!?” and can feel all the eye rolls you are giving me right now. Legitimately, what has changed?

• Wearing masks and social distancing makes it difficult to connect with people and form relationships with those you supervise or who supervises you.

• Meeting virtually only with people is taxing and feels disingenuous.

• I have to change (insert favorite way or activity I did for team building) I was doing before and I don't like it.

Let's hit these one by one.

1. Wearing masks and social distancing makes it difficult to connect with people and form relationships with those you supervise or who supervises you. Have you ever had to form a relationship with someone other than sitting across from them for hours on end? Have you truly made an effort to get to know the people around you? Do you know their favorite tv show or do you know their passion? Do you know their favorite candy or do you know had the biggest impact on their lives? Put what matters the most to others first and they will feel the connection through whatever medium you connect on.

2. Meeting virtually only with people is taxing and feels disingenuous. Are you unwilling as a leader to set an example for those on your team of how to navigate and adapt? There is truth to screen time burnout and should not be on camera for several hours at a time.

3. I have to change (insert favorite way or activity I did for team building) I was doing before and I don't like it. Unwilling to adapt as a leader? Unwilling to change something because it doesn't suit your taste? Does this sound like the leader you want to be?

Our role as leaders is to be the guiding force behind the initiative and positive change, at least that is why we chose leadership. We thought we could become and emulate those that lead did. Or at least thought we could do it better because we were led poorly. None of us chose to lead during a pandemic. It is hard. Do not think less of yourself because it is hard. Give yourself some credit. Those that you lead deserve the best.

Maybe you're not receiving the same level of leadership that I argue your own subordinates deserve. So what? If your goal is to lead others and rise to the occasion, why are you not leading by example? Step up and give your all. Your team deserves it and you deserve to build the capacity for yourself to perform at a higher level.