Two Seasons of COVID-19
As we have watched the seasons change and our lives continue to be disrupted, we face challenges, many of which would previously have been unimaginable.
There is plenty of evidence that what we find most stressful as human beings is not change, but uncertainty. This is perhaps why so many of us move between feeling unanchored followed by a desperate need to have purpose, or to make a difference with the aim of taking some control of this ever changing climate.
Our need to connect and support each other has never been greater and many are finding new ways to communicate, safely and effectively.
For many of you, especially those leading organisations with your teams furloughed, it is a challenging time of balancing additional responsibilities both at home and as in your new role of manager and team player. You will be returning to daily tasks and being, ‘hands on’ in a way that you haven’t for years and you are having to embrace this at the same time as carrying the burden of keeping your ship afloat and engaging with your team to keep them safe and well. You are grateful that the furlough scheme has helped you preserve your company, but by removing people’s ability to work, it has provided you with new challenges.
Your teams are likely to be at their most vulnerable with the fear of the unknown ahead of them.
They are looking to you to support them until you create the new norm and just like your customers and stakeholders, will remember how you communicated and supported them during this time. In some cases, divisions may emerge between those who are taking the load of those being furloughed. Those working may have a greater feeling of security, but may resent the volume of activity or responsibility they now have. Conversely, those furloughed, may feel less engaged, more anxious and even guilty due to their lack of contribution.
Some companies have already found ways to support all of their team, regardless of their different situations. Others are finding this understandably challenging. One way to support your teams is through their personal development and if you do not already have a programme in place, this is a perfect time to start.
Much credit goes to my existing clients who recognise the importance for engagement at this time.
YOURgb Events, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group and Big Flavour are all committed to success by taking a strategic approach and recognising the on-going development of themselves and their teams. I am lucky to work with all three organisations on an ongoing basis.
"We have been working with Lucy for over 2 years now and it has been amazing to watch our team be inspired to reach for their full potential! COVID-19 was a shock to everyone but with a few sessions still to go Lucy did a fantastic job of taking it all online. Lucy, despite being through a laptop was as engaging as ever, allowed the team to be creative and work together and kept the engagement high"
Emily Cuthbert, Team Manager, YOURgb
“Working with Lucy has given the Big Flavour team a new perspective on the business and allowed us to make positive changes to our positioning and service offering. Our sessions "pre-COVID" gave us a platform to share ideas and openly discuss the challenges we faced. Despite lockdown, these sessions have continued via Zoom and Lucy has provided invaluable feedback and guidance on the way we are tackling the issues which the business faces in these testing times.”
Scott Mullins, Director, Big Flavour
Although relatively new for groups, through Bright Yellow I have been delivering one-to-one leadership coaching, on-line for those clients who are not based locally.
One memorable programme was with the talented Cristina from Mandarin Oriental in Washington DC who I coached for 5 months but, to date have not met.
“I asked Lucy to do some private coaching for a future dynamic leader. This has proved to be a wise investment. We have now ensured this talented colleague could lead with confidence and skill in stepping up into a roll that had tremendous responsibility and needed a new skill set of leadership and trouble shooting. From this her director told me he was more than pleased with her leadership and that she was now performing above expectations. Lucy simply delivers above and beyond the expected.”
Emily Snyder, Global Vice President, Global Sales, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group
Whatever the future holds, you are not alone. Let’s embrace it and take the first step together.
This advice was supplied by Bright Yellow.
