Top 5 Pandemic Leadership Lessons Learned

Sheri Fella

1 – There is no GOING BACK or MOVING ON... there is only MOVING FORWARD.  To rush the grief process or to promise a return to a place that no longer exists, creates more anxiety and risks breaking trust in the long run. 

2 – The highly ADAPTABLE vs the highly ACHIEVING is the talent most highly sought after now. The emotionally intelligent employees that can be present and resilient are the ones that will adapt and bend – not break – with change in this new dynamic environment.

3 – COMPASSION & EMPATHY lead to innovation. From creative and flexible work options and schedules to new ways of leading, the root of innovation is grounded in connection, and understanding and leaders must be relatable and relating in order to innovate.

4 – The planning horizon is NOW, and maybe next week. Long term planning still has a role, but being present, learning from the data the current state is giving you, and adjusting in real-time is required in this volatile, uncertain, chaotic time. Looking too far ahead with too much detail and too much expectation around an outcome is counterproductive and resource-draining.

5 – HIGH PERFORMANCE requires more resource investment from leaders, not less. Time, energy, attention, intention… leaders need a deeper and wider capacity of resources now to perform at high levels and that means they need more support to hold an ever-expanding, dynamic plate of demands.