{"id":50265,"date":"2020-05-07T18:12:00","date_gmt":"2022-10-18T18:12:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/?p=50265"},"modified":"2022-10-27T22:33:59","modified_gmt":"2022-10-28T05:33:59","slug":"leading-through-crisis-how-to-show-up-virtually","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/au\/blog\/leading-through-crisis-how-to-show-up-virtually\/","title":{"rendered":"Leading Through Crisis: How to \u2018Show up\u2019 Virtually"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Q: How has leading a team changed with this crisis?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Regardless of what else is going on in the world, a leader needs to be positive and needs to be motivating. The difference now is we also have to factor in other pressures the team is dealing with \u2013\u00a0it\u2019s really important not to underestimate the impact that COVID-19 is having on employees.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We have to make sure that we\u2019re hyper-aware of the stress that they\u2019re experiencing and the concerns that they have. We have to be really clear on our expectations of our teams, understanding that they\u2019re now also looking after their children, supporting elderly relatives, dealing with a lot of uncertainty themselves \u2013 we can\u2019t expect the same from employees now as we did at the beginning of the year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our EQ levels need to go up a couple of notches and our priorities need to adjust so that our employees know they\u2019re supported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Who\u2019s setting a great example of leadership in this crisis?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are plenty of examples of coping and leading extraordinarily well considering the challenges we\u2019re all facing. At Salesforce, I\u2019ve been so impressed with my leadership team and the way that they are leading their team members through this period. I see them prioritising the welfare of their teams<\/a>, then the immediate needs of their customers.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s important that our teams know our primary concern is their welfare \u2013 that\u2019s the main thing that leaders should be focused on right now. It\u2019s far easier for people to perform at their best if they feel supported. And if they know that, then their primary concern can be their customers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The thing that I\u2019ve learnt over the years is that if you\u2019re not a good listener, or if you\u2019re not open to taking on other people’s ideas, then you\u2019re applying limits to your own growth. At Salesforce I\u2019m blessed to be surrounded by a hugely talented team who I\u2019m constantly learning from, and helping me grow as an individual and as a leader.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: What\u2019s the secret to \u2018showing up\u2019 virtually?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To me, success stems from authenticity. That only comes from taking the time to fully understand each team member\u2019s specific challenges and unique needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your team member is to fully engage, they need to sense your passion and interest in helping them overcome their specific challenges and problems, to know that you are authentic in your interest and your desire to help. Now this must all be achieved via a virtual meeting in which almost everybody is at home, rather than face-to-face in controlled surroundings \u2013 so conveying all of this through attitude, words and body language is slightly different. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are those basic tenets of pivoting a leadership or management style in this new normal \u2013 including heightened empathy and awareness of employee stress levels \u2013 but there\u2019s no one-size-fits-all approach. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the practical front, leaders must do all they can to ensure excellent communication, and to let everyone know they are truly interested in helping and supporting them. They must be succinct, clear and considerate about other people\u2019s needs. They must also make sure everyone has an opportunity to contribute to conversations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This behaviour will set the scene for how their teams can also show up for customers, but leaders can and should encourage collegiality as well \u2013 this is an opportunity to give senior team members an opportunity<\/a> to help each other and develop their own leadership experience.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

By emphasising the importance of open, honest and timely communication, and the impact that can have on the business \u2013 in the example of a sales team the leader may communicate the impact on accurate forecasting \u2013 business leaders can give their teams and themselves the best chance of success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All of these little things mean we\u2019re thinking more about how to be considerate of other people. We\u2019re thinking about how to make sure meetings are always adding value. When we\u2019re at home (especially if we\u2019re trying to parent full-time, work full-time, and be a teacher too), our time is very important to us, so a new understanding of time and impact is developing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All of this is going to change the way we communicate in the real world. I think we\u2019ll find our conversations with each other will become a lot more effective. But how well these lessons are implemented will revolve around culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n