The last few years have taken a toll on all of us, both personally and professionally. As leaders, we are expected to remain steady and provide direction for our teams, even when we ourselves are feeling exhausted and drained. But how do we maintain our resolve and lead effectively when the whole world seems tired?
Here is a short story about a Client of ours whose healthcare business is continuing to grow despite the team being exhausted and the owner, Sarah, was too.
The business provided top-notch care services to those who need it most, and Sarah was passionate about providing the best care for all individuals.
However, the second wave of the pandemic hit and the team found themselves struggling to keep up with the demand. They were all feeling the effects of pandemic fatigue, and Sarah was no exception. She was feeling a loss of focus, determination, and energy. The “steady hand” approach and rapid action mindset that had characterised her leadership during the first wave were becoming fuzzy, less ingenious, and much more volatile.
Despite the challenges, Sarah knew that she needed to lead her team through the second wave.
She realised that the key to success was to understand the difference between urgency and importance. In the first wave, they were focused on urgent and immediate issues, such as dealing with the sudden influx of Clients and their needs and ensuring the safety of her employees.
Now, as they navigated the second wave, she needed to shift her focus to what was truly important – the long-term health and well-being of her team members and the sustainability of the business.
Sarah also knew that in order to lead effectively, she needed to balance comfort with containment. She provided her team members with the support and resources they needed to stay healthy and well, both physically and mentally. But she also maintained a sense of structure and discipline in order to contain the spread of the virus and keep the business running.
Sarah also found new ways to energise herself and her team members.
She got creative with virtual team-building activities, provided opportunities for professional development, and encouraged her team to take breaks and do something they enjoyed.
Through her leadership and determination, Sarah and her team were able to successfully navigate the second wave of the pandemic.
Despite the challenges, Sarah and her team were able to maintain a positive attitude and continue providing top-notch care services to their patients.
They were able to maintain a sense of normalcy and stability amidst the chaos of the pandemic, and they were proud of the work they were doing.
Sarah’s leadership and determination were a key factor in the success of the business. She understood the importance of personal resilience and the resilience of her team, and she made sure to take the necessary steps to maintain it.
She understood the difference between urgency and importance and found ways to balance comfort with containment.
Sarah continues to lead her team through the challenges they face and come out on the other side stronger than ever before.
Her team are grateful for her guidance and support, and they are proud to be a part of such a successful healthcare business.
Sarah’s story serves as a reminder that even in the toughest of times, it is possible to lead effectively and make a positive impact on the communities we serve.
At Kaizen Business Consultant, we are here to support and guide you through these difficult times. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you lead effectively and sustainably, even when you feel exhausted and your team is too.
Here is a short checklist of the key actions we at Kaizen implement with our Clients to ensure that they continue to lead well despite the entire team feeling tired
- Understand the difference between urgency and importance. Prioritise what is truly important for the long-term health and well-being of your team members and the sustainability of your business.
- Delegate tasks and responsibilities: Share the workload by delegating tasks and responsibilities among your team members. This will help to alleviate your own workload and give your team members a sense of ownership and responsibility.
- Balance comfort with containment. Communicate openly and honestly whilst providing support and resources for your team members while maintaining structure and discipline to contain the spread of the virus and keep your business running.
- Find new ways to energise yourself and your team members. Involve your team in the solution and get creative with virtual team-building activities, provide opportunities for professional development, or simply take a break and do something you enjoy.
- Prioritise self-care and personal resilience. Take care of yourself so that you can lead effectively and sustainably.
- Seek out support and guidance from experts. Consider working with a leadership coach or consultant to help you navigate the challenges of the pandemic.
- Set clear expectations and goals: Establish clear and measurable goals for your team, and make sure that they understand what is expected of them. This will help to keep everyone focused and motivated.
Personal Bio:Tim Jones (MBA), is an award-winning specialist business advisor to the healthcare industry and owns/ operates Kaizen Business Consultants Ltd.
