Tips for Leading Through Turmoil
Predictability is an asset most employees crave in the workplace, according to Milwaukee business consultant Christine McMahon, president of Christine McMahon & Associates.
Of course, virtually any semblance of predictability in our lives was obliterated in mid-March by the COVID-19 pandemic and the accompanying economic collapse.
McMahon, who has expertise in leadership, sales and negotiations, is a co-founder of Waukesha County Technical College’s Corporate Training Center- and a columnist for BizTimes Milwaukee. She previously developed top-performing sales teams with Procter & Gamble, Slim-Fast Foods and Nabisco.
“People want a stable environment so they can plan, engage and execute,” McMahon says. “Disruption, filled with uncertainty and wrapped in fear, is a great destabilizer. During these unpredictable times, they look to leadership for guidance, truth, direction and comfort.”
McMahon provides 10 tips for executives to lead their teams through this tumultuous time:
Focus on the future. “People need hope. They need a reason to believe in a better tomorrow. They need to feel a part of something big, something important, something that makes them feel that their contribution makes a positive difference,” McMahon says. “During times of crisis and disruption, remind people of the company’s greatness by revisiting the company’s mission and vision. If the current statements do not inspire people with a sense of pride, then it’s time to update them.”
Communicate a compelling “why?” in your organization. “Take time to explain the purpose behind company initiatives or plans. This helps team members to rationalize the decision and direction. Also talk about the consequences of not taking action and the other paths that have been explored before reaching this particular decision,” McMahon says.
Invite feedback, questions and new ideas. “Change requires new ways of thinking, being and doing. A leader doesn’t necessarily have all of the answers, especially when there isn’t a playbook, but great leadership explains the situation and invites collaborative problem-solving. This reinforces trust, empowerment and confidence,” McMahon says.
Create regular communication touch points. “People need to feel connected to you and senior leaders. With most people working remotely, social isolation and home distractions jettison their once-normal working cadence,” McMahon says. “When engaging one-on-one, start the conversation by asking each person how they are doing, and then listen. What most people need is to be heard.”
Leverage technology. “Video conferencing, at a prescribed time each week, will help maintain a sense of community. Begin the video chat by asking everyone to check in and describe how they are doing before jumping into the agenda. Connection time is tremendously important as people want to know how others are coping,” McMahon says.
Demonstrate emotional intelligence. “A leader’s behavior and attitude are contagious. During high stress times, employees look to their leaders for cues for how to react. If the leader seems overwhelmed or is operating without a plan, people become fearful. If a leader is honest and emotionally strong, people will feed off that energy even when facing an unknown future,” McMahon says.
Admit and take responsibility for mistakes. “This is new territory, and it’s likely that there will be missteps. When this happens, admit it. While counter-intuitive, it makes people feel safe because it shows that you are more committed to telling the truth than doing what’s easy,” McMahon says.
Use this time to make the company better. “Ask each department leader to meet with their team and develop a ‘hit list’ of the top three things that would improve productivity and efficiency that is within their control at the moment. Then, ask for volunteers who want to work on these projects,” McMahon says.
Find things to celebrate. “People do the best they can at any given moment. During this time of disruption, focus a little time on successes – large and small. Acknowledge those who go above and beyond as well as those who are effective at keeping team members’ spirits high. People want to be a part of something wonderful,” McMahon says.
Stay connected to your emotional lifeline. “It’s lonely at the top. A crisis can deepen that feeling of loneliness as the weight of decision-making in uncharted territory - what to do or not do – rests on your shoulders. Be sure you have a person or two outside of the company who you can talk to without having to measure your words; a person who makes you feel safe to think out loud, bounce ideas off of and to explore possibilities. We all need a safe place in a time of uncertainty,” McMahon says.
Name: Christine McMahon
Title: President
Company: Christine McMahon & Associates LLC, Milwaukee
Education: Boston College, Bachelor of Arts - Marketing & Finance
Family: Daughter Cherise, 21 attends Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology as cyber-security major.
Dog: Daisy - breed: Coton de Tulear
Best advice ever received: To know a person, pay attention to what they do, not what they say.
Favorite movie: The Illusionist
Favorite Wisconsin restaurant: The Statehouse Restaurant at the Edgewater Hotel in Madison. The Statehouse Burger is second to none. It literally melts in your mouth. And the staff is exceptional.
For more insights from Christine McMahon, check out this C-Level Extra Point video.
