Leadership During a Crisis
By retired AFP Commander, Grant Edwards
In times of crisis, many leaders take on a role of invincibility, becoming task oriented and highly focused, often expecting the same of their teams. In this climate, leaders must be ultra-flexible, rapidly adapt and make decisions based on little certainty. The challenge for leaders is being able to combine the many facets of achieving objectives as well as managing staff and managing themselves.
Put people first
Intuitively, we may want to take control and stay focused on ‘getting the job done’ yet effective leadership during a crisis is all about the people. Now is the time to lead with transparency and consistency, take action to create stability and continue as best we can to deliver quality services, despite the level of global disruption.
Project confidence
Self-confidence also plays a significant role in leadership during difficult times. You can lessen the impact of chaos on those you lead by paying attention to communication, providing clarity of vision, and maintaining caring relationships.
Clearly communicate the facts
First-tier leaders need to be proactive in finding out what the facts are, particularly in relation to policies about things like self-isolation and how this is practiced in reality. If you’re confused so is everyone else. Leaders need to know what advice to give their people and if your organisation isn’t giving you this clarity, jump up and down until you get it. Make sure that you are consistent and to the point. Trying to sugar coat the message is only doing your people a disservice and will likely further deteriorate trust once they see that the situation is worse than you made it out to be.
Have the courage to be frank about the challenges you are facing but be equally clear and confident about the measures you are putting in place to support your staff. Ensure that you are communicating frequently, since the situation is changing daily your frequency of communication must match this.
Understand their stressors
Of paramount significance is to appeal to the hearts and minds of your people, emphasising that their health and wellbeing is of utmost importance. Make sure you understand what your staff are struggling with – are their families ok? Do they have elderly parents? Are they themselves healthy? As you navigate this unique and ever-evolving period, it’s imperative to take the time to process your own as well as your team’s thoughts and emotions.
Suggest pathways of support
Let your people know who they can reach out to if they are struggling. For example, many employers have Employee Assistance Programs where they can access psychologists remotely. If you haven’t heard from your EAP provider during the outbreak, reach out to them directly and ask what services they are offering during this crisis.
Say less, listen more
If we accept the principle that most organisations struggle to listen and respond to their people’s concerns, then a pandemic will only amplify this challenge. The best advice l was every given when transitioning into leadership was, you have two ears and one mouth – so “shut up and listen”. Take this time to strengthen interpersonal relationships with your teams and listen to the concerns, suggestions and recommendations of your people, and most important of all don’t be dismissive! Become a listening learner and create a different type of operating system to interact and communicate within and external to your organisation.
Practice self-care
You and your team may feel compelled to fight the fear of the coronavirus by pushing yourself harder, taking on additional work whilst trying to keep up with your regular responsibilities at home. This reaction is normal and admirable – and to some extent, everyone needs to step up. It’s equally important, however, to invest in and encourage self-care. Only then can we be ready for what the next phase brings.
Supporting frontline staff
Frontline staff are some of the hardest hit. In addition to providing care and support, they also confront the same stresses as the general public – concern for loved ones, loss of income as family members are laid off from service jobs, and trying to care for children who are scared and bored and suddenly home all the time. Leaders must remember that frontline staff are not only dealing with their own emotions and the emotions of friends and family members they are also confronted with a wide range of emotional responses to this pandemic. That is a lot of emotion!
Show appreciation
The propensity for physical and psychological burnout of our frontline staff including, Medical staff, Paramedics, Police and Fire is high. Particularly given that the advice concerning the COVID-19 crisis is that it’s likely to be long-term. Let your staff know that you appreciate them and acknowledge that they are facing a sustained period of additional work and personal stress.
Appeal to a collective sense of pride
People want their leader to project compassion and an understanding of how the situation is for those on the frontline. It’s also helpful to appeal to collective values and collective history, emphasising the group at large rather than individual self-interest. Appeal to your team’s collective sense of pride in their work and caring nature, for example, letting them know that their hard work and exceptional skills are making a positive difference to the lives of vulnerable Australians every day.
About the author
Grant Edwards is a retired high-ranking AFP Commander with over 34 years of service protecting vulnerable people around the world. Formerly, an elite athlete and strongman competitor and entrant to the World’s Strongest Man competition, Grant is now a sought-after public speaker, author, and passionate mental health advocate helping to reshape the police force’s approach to mental health. He’s recently joined Aspect Group as the head of Aspect Frontline, a program specifically created to support the mental health of Police and First Responders.
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