Our next installment in my Decency Series focuses on Being Decent During The Pandemic.

COVID-19 Means Means More Leadership Decency

Whether they show signs of it or not, our teammates are truly stressed-out about COVID-19. It’s on us, as leaders, to approach our leadership responsibilities with even more decency and care – setting the example for others to follow.

Here’s how:

1. Be There: Being present means that you’re there for your people. It means that you ask, listen and strive to understand before deciding and directing. This will relieve some of the worry that comes with COVID stress.
2. Be Inclusive: Create a sense of community among your staffers. Invite people to speak their mind, share ideas offer alternatives. Being part of a community helps people handle stress.
3. Be Kind: As I counsel those whom I coach, resiliency is a whole person proposition – mental, physical, spirit and community. Help staffers who may have lost perspective on what’s important to put these things first.
4. Be Serving: Ask not what your people can do for you, ask what you can do for your people.
5. Be Humble: The best way to be the living example of decency during these troubling times is to maintain your humility as you lead others.

Something to Remember

C.S. Lewis once wrote:

“Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less.”

Leaders need to be doing more of this during these unprecedented times.

Note: This entry is based on my CEOWorld article, published on November 5, 2020 in its Executive Education section.