Leadership in lockdown: Socia’s response to the COVID crisis
We have produced a practical weekly note – to support leaders who need easily digestible hints and tips to help them cope in these exceptional times. As the lockdown has progressed the advice has moved from leading your team through the short term survival phase to dealing with the longer term demands on leaders as they shape their organisation to respond to a new normal. You can read the full series of these notes below.
Week 10: Leadership endurance & sharing control
New policy announcements and changes to government lockdown advice across the UK mean that for many businesses and their leaders this week feels like the transition to a new phase in dealing with this epidemic, and as with any transition this can bring both enhanced...
Week 9: Creating a better virtual conversation
Two months into the lockdown and many of us have become regular users of the various digital conferencing media products that now are available - Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Cisco Webex and others. These products are essential leadership tools to keep decision-making...
Week 8: Many rivers to cross
Many analogies for leaders planning a major change use the image of crossing a river. They talk of building a bridge; starting with pathfinders feeling their way on stepping-stones, before raising bridge supports on solid foundations to carry the weight of the...
Week 7: Two strategies for coping with uncertainty
Coping with uncertainty. As we enter week 7, talk is of recovery plans and exit strategies. But deep down as leaders we know that these public pronouncements will only present a new set of challenges for our organisations and our staff as the environment of...
Week 6 – Hitting the wall
Hitting the wall - and how to get through it. In the last week many of the leaders we work with have described just how weary they are getting. Unfamiliar work routines, long hours in front of a screen and continuing uncertainty about the future, all take their toll....
Week 5: The change you didn’t choose
The change you didn’t choose – and how to handle it Week 5 of lockdown and the long-term impact of the current situation is starting to become evident to organisations across all sectors. For all leaders, there is a realisation that they have entered a change process...
Week 4: Being a leader not a cheerleader
Being a leader not a cheerleader. Week 4 of lockdown and, for many of us, we’re through the initial phase of practical coping; setting up a home-based office, getting the technology to work, getting used to on-line team meetings – and now the leadership challenge is...
Week 3: A marathon not a sprint
Running a marathon not a sprint. Week 3 of the lockdown and the shock of the change is receding, but the bad news keeps coming. A prime minister in hospital and the Queen speaking to the nation underscores the seriousness and justifies the fears that people have. We...
Week 2: Making the best of new communication channels
Making the best of new communication channels. After a second week of Socia’s home based working, involving much time on Microsoft Teams and Zoom, here are three big lessons we have learned about hosting effective on-line meetings. 1 Be clear about the different...
Week 1: Leading in a virtual environment
Leading in a virtual environment: Some lessons from the first week of working from home: 5 things for a leader to think about when working remotely. 1 How do you look? You are ‘at work’ so think about what people can see in the background of your video call – it can...
