Leading Your Team

Leading Your Team Into A Post Pandemic World

Sy e d m A N S O O R N a qv i PRESIDENT MBE

Leading your team into a Post Pandemic world is itself a huge challenge after a long break Post COVID-19. Even in the midst of what’s happening many sectors are still not fully opened and needs opening up with a radical change management strategy.

According to Kotler’s model of Change management there are some key measures that as a leader one needs to exhibit while ensuring change strategies. These includes Creating urgency, forming a powerful coalition, creating a vision for change, communicating the vision, removing obstacles, creating short-term wins, Building on the change, and anchoring the change in the corporate culture. In this model for change management most of the factors are easily applicable in the Post pandemic comeback.

However, there is a huge role that the leaders will have to play to make sure that the change management strategies take place effectively. Communicating and creating the vision for change is one of the most important while the corporate sector is opening up again after a long break due to the Pandemic COVID-19. Building on the change and anchoring the change are rest of the two measures that will definitely help in implementing the change in the corporate culture and environment.

HUMAN NEEDS IN THE SHELTER-IN-PLACE PHASE:

This is the phase during which companies have sought to ensure their workers physical safety. Companies have in addition to the measures also implemented work from home measures. As well as sanitized essential areas and shifted operating models. Contactless delivery is yet another significant example which many companies have adopted to avoid the pandemic.

Apart from safety they are working for the assurance of security as well which is another key and primary concern. Many companies have made sure that employees keep on working on payrolls for as long as it is possible. Alternatively, some companies have increased pay for front line and core workers. Many companies have established employee relief funds for the sake of addressing change on an urgent basis. Flexibility is also evident by senior executives and Board of Directors who have cut down their salaries.

A huge question is how are leaders able to address their workers higher level needs during the pandemic. Leading with vision and leading with a kind of singular force is the hour of the needs for leaders. The type of leaders that are most needed in times of Pandemic are the ones with a strong analytical and a focused mind. Having a positive approach and a vision for change while demonstrating vulnerability and empathy. A combination of a science based approach with a human touch is what is needed to undergo leadership challenges effectively.

HUMAN NEEDS IN THE RE-OPENING PHASE:

As many companies in Canada are planning to re-open in the opening up phase. They are bound to take some key steps in form of precautionary measures and key implications. While preparing for the next phase the spectrum needs to be broad for their employees and their needs. This is apart from just creating a physically safe workplace to other mandatory measures. As an example the companies are considering the

following measures that span the full range of human needs from basic to advance. Some key points are as follows:

• Key highlights on how the activities of the companies are contributing to the common good. At the same time making a huge difference in people’s lives. • As part of the crisis management the company must define the conditions that will ensure the safe re-opening of the procedures. These includes from in-home services to offices and stores. • Celebrating the inspiring news a way to tackle workers mental health problems Post COVID-19. • The company should make sure that they bring back as many workers as possible Post COVID-19. This is essentially for the own good of workers and their simultaneous commitments at work. • Highlighting the roles that employees can play while they are back at work. This will definitely give them back their attitude at work as it used to be Pre-COVID-19. • Ensuring an honest communication at professional levels with the employees. The communication should be truthful,

humane and caring delivering them that the world is constantly changing. Also highlighting that some things that are not changing including the company’s core focus and their corporate values. • Apart from bringing back maximum employees, the communication with those working remotely should have special attention. They must have in their minds the vital importance of working remotely.