In the April 27 “Coronavirus Curveball Tip of the Week” video, Bobbie looks back on the ups and downs we’ve all gone through over the last several weeks—and provides tips for finding some much-needed emotional steadiness.
Transcription of Coronavirus Curveball Tip of the Week: The Ups and Downs
Hi everyone, Bobbie LaPorte here again with this week’s Coronavirus Curveball tip of the week. We’re now moving into weeks 6, 7, 8 of Sheltering-in-place, depending on where you live. As I have been speaking to clients this last week, I am seeing a pattern of phases that leaders and their teams are experiencing. Let me share what I am seeing.
For the first 2-3 weeks, people seemed to be adjusting to working from home; new routines, in many ways enjoying their “freedom”, no commute… like a new adventure. Then there was a phase of 2-3 weeks where the new reality and extended shelter in place deadlines started to settle in; with work and family burdens starting to wear.
In this phase, people may be more anxious, worried – even possibly depressed and despondent. They are lacking focus, distracted; not always following through, and making simple mistakes.
Leaders are becoming worried about performance and execution, and often feel like they are doing more inspection, hand-holding – and worrying if they are really LEADING.
Let’s face it – we’ve never been here before so who knows what the next phase will look and feel like, but I’m pretty sure there’ll be one. Peaks and valleys in human emotions in times like this are not that unusual.
So, what can you do? I have 2 suggestions:
- At this time..your job is to provide the emotional steadiness that your team needs now; be that line of moderation for them through the highs and lows.
- Don’t be too critical or hard on yourself. You are likely doing a better job than you think you are..and nowhere near as bad as you may feel. During times like these when our brains are facing threats and uncertainty..it is natural for us to focus on the negative.
What you are doing..is what you need to be doing right now.
That’s my message for this week. I’ll see you again next Monday. In the meantime, remember that leadership makes the greatest difference when the world around us is uncertain. Take care of yourself!