5 Strategies to Restore Calm During a Crisis

We are in unchartered territory.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the coronavirus (COVID-19) has now spread worldwide as of March 12th, and has infected almost 150,000 people. Never before has an infectious disease wreaked havoc so quickly.

As leaders, we have an obligation to provide a safe place for our employees to work as well as to ensure that any fears about the coronavirus (or any other illness for that matter) are addressed.

Given what we know now, how can you help your employees calm fears and feel safe at work? Here are 5 strategies you can take to ensure you are providing a safe and healthy work experience:
 
  1. Objectivelyassess the situation before reacting, and become informed. Right now we are being bombarded with information 24/7. It’s very easy to get sucked into a free-falling doomsday spiral. As a C-level coach and strategist that has helped hundreds of leaders navigate difficult situations, I always remember that my clients are in an emotional place when they share their challenges. While I always believe their assessment, I know there are many truths to a situation. Part of my job is to help them see multiple perspectives and positions so that they can make the most informed, non-emotional decision possible. 
  2. Respond with thoughtful urgency. In a crisis, time is of the essence. However, there is no room for hasty, reactive responses. Leaders must quickly weigh all options and then commit to a plan of action that protects the organization’s long-term interests. 
  3. Seek help. I have 3 key advisers on speed dial. All leaders need a small network of experts that will provide honest feedback, clarity, and can help you devise a plan of action when your back is against the wall. I serve in the role for at least a dozen clients.
  4. Delegate and keep the business moving. It’s easy for a crisis to engulf you but you have an organization or a business to run. Set the course of action, activate your troops, and keep moving forward. 
  5. Remember that flexibility is key. The best laid plans often need to be changed. Be prepared to pivot at a moment’s notice if your plans don’t resolve your problem.
 
In my 26 years of business ownership, as the mom of 19- and 22-year old sons, and as a cancer survivor, I have been in many dark places. I’ve pulled my own business back from the brink of bankruptcy multiple times. I pivoted my first company 7 times in response to market shifts. I steered the company through the devastation of 9/11, the implosion of the telecom and transportation industries, & multiple government shutdowns. I have overcome tremendous challenges with my children. And I’ve heard “You have cancer” twice. As a result, my resilience muscle is very strong.
 
My SCI Co-Founder Jen Brown has worked with more than 100 organizations over the last 25 years to help their leadership and HR teams navigate extreme challenges and difficulties. Our combined 50 years of experience in navigating turbulent times makes us uniquely qualified to help you do the same.
 
We are ready to help you move through your challenges.

SUCCESSFUL CULTURE INTERNATIONAL IS PREPARED TO HELP YOU NAVIGATE DIFFICULTY

Successful Culture International’s GRACE Leadership Coaching Model
 
Successful Culture International is ready to equip you and your leadership team with the tools, resources, and strategies you need to effectively and confidently lead your organization through the Coronavirus crisis.
 
We provide video-based online coaching to all of our clients, and we have developed the GRACE Leadership Coaching Modelspecifically in response to the needs of today’s leaders in today’s unique environment.
 
We will help our clients strengthen the following leadership traits that are absolutely essential to lead our organizations with GRACEthrough the challenges they will face in the coming weeks and months:
 
✔ Grit
✔ Resilience
✔ Adaptability
✔ Connection
✔ Empathy
 
We provide this online virtual coaching in 3 formats:
  • One-on-one coaching
  • Small group coaching for leaders and managers
  • Large group coaching for employees

Our SCALE Academy Is Online for Your Virtual Training Needs

We also provide the Successful Culture Advanced Leadership Education (SCALE) Academy in in-person and online formats. The concepts and skills that we teach are EXACTLY what organizations need to strengthen to weather storms:
  • Self-Awareness
  • Emotional Intelligence
  • Effective Communications Skills
  • Conflict Management
  • Giving and Receiving Feedback/Navigating Difficult Conversations
In times of difficulty, these “soft skills” become “power skills.” They equip learners with the skills they need to cultivate and strengthen relationships inside and outside the organization that are critical for maintaining health and stability.
 
We create an immersive virtual classroom experience for all of our modules, which can be delivered in 2-hour segments.
 

YOUR CALL TO ACTION:

To discuss how we can support your organization, please email us at info@successfulculture.com to set up a 20-minute discovery call with Marissa.
 

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