Stop and smell the roses...

Things we’ve stopped doing since the outbreak of Covid-19: hugging friends, shaking hands with colleagues, having a belly laugh, and enjoying a good sneeze. Businesses have closed and employees have been out of work. We’ve lost our sense of security. These past three months have been tough and it’s easy to focus on all that’s changed or been lost. But there are so many other things that we’ve started doing: having virtual dinner parties and get-togethers, openly discussing our fears and anxieties, making phone calls with friends and relatives, and thinking about the well-being of others: these are the things we’re doing with what there is. Asking “how are you” and really meaning it. Stopping to smell the roses. Realizing that our mothers’ admonition to wash our hands was not just some old wives’ tale. Suddenly, everyone is itching to go out, worried that they’re missing something. Now is probably a good time to take stock of all the good things we have, like health and happiness. As a leader (or a parent), help others to focus on the good things that are all around us as we inch our way back to something more normal today.

Ernest Hemingway (1899-1961): Journalist, Sportsman, Novelist and Nobel Prize Winner

Rethink old habits...

Lots of companies have opened in the past 10 days; so many more are planning to do the same in the next few weeks. The word “planning” is key here – every one of these companies need a plan that addresses all the things that are needed to make a good first impression, again. They can’t do that effectively with policies and practices that weren’t designed for these new circumstances.  Some of what’s needed now: allowing employees to have a voice in their own personal protection, redesigning customer touch points, revising existing attendance policies (the ones that mostly penalize employees when sick or anxious), delegating more to line managers, implementing supervisory training that focuses on personal responsibility and decision making, communicating continually to calm employee and customer worries, watching for mental wellness issues that may be lurking beneath the surface, remaining flexible for all the unknowns that might occur, and reviewing your current reopening plans and preparing for the next time (yes, there will be a next time). Just because you’re back at work doesn’t mean this is over…the hard part might still be ahead; put your heads together and find new ways of doing old things. Reimagination and creativity are the critical skills you need today. 

Ruud Belmans: Creative director at WeWantMore design studio, on designing face masks made from preloved sneakers

Caring matters...

Today’s author doesn’t need any introduction: he is the pre-eminent immunologist in the US. He knows what he’s talking about, and his words carry the weight of experience. I’ve written here often that the science should be what guides our thinking about reopening. But after the science, our behaviors can mitigate the impact of this virus and the way we all transition back to some form of normal. I’ve studied the plans that many companies have submitted; some are very detailed, others not so much. I’ve listened to their reopening experiences: some found they’d only planned about 80% of what was needed and then had to adjust for the remaining 20%. More and more I’m hearing that they’re preaching the Golden Rule to their employees: to do unto others what you would want them to do to and for you. Meaning: wear a mask, wash your hands, and keep your distance. And asking them to care selflessly about one another. That’s a good policy in good times and bad. And, especially today.

Anthony Fauci (1940): American physician and immunologist who has served as the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) since 1984.

Navigate carefully...

The move is definitely on to reopen businesses and communities. I’ve spent the past several days talking to leaders about their plans and strategies: most are trying to balance all of the political and scientific guidelines while dealing with their business’ people and economic issues. There’s a strong sentiment that “enough is enough already”, and they’re trying to temper this rush with prudence and discipline. It’s definitely doable: redrawing existing floorplans to accommodate distancing, revising (again) work-from-home policies, developing “mask” strategies, providing guidance for hand washing, making schedules for cleaning, setting their own group meeting size standards, and dealing with employees who are fearful of leaving the safety of their homes.  These leaders, most of whom have lots of experience in the way things used to be, now must be flexible in determining what’s best for their businesses, employees and customers. They’re all faced with the same questions and issues and have come to realize that these rough seas demand a skilled captain. They’re finding assistance and comfort in peers and counselors who provide them with the opportunity to talk things out and think them through. Don’t try to navigate this alone: discover the skills you need today.

Michael G. Jacobides: The Sir Donald Gordon Chair of Entrepreneurship & Innovation at London Business School

Shared values make good sense...

For nearly 12 years I’ve been writing these daily messages…most of that time they’ve been about managing and motivating people. But in the last 70 days they’ve focused on using common sense during this pandemic. Like most people, I’m anxious to get back to my old routines: for me that means writing about values such as teamwork, excellence, integrity, innovation, loyalty, responsibility, engagement, pride, passion and professionalism.  Now that I look at it, everything we do in and around and about our work and lives revolves around these values, in good times and bad. Today, as many of us are engaged in planning and preparing to reopen our businesses and communities, now, more than ever, living this list of values is what will help us navigate through these difficult times.  We’re all both excited and worried to get back to some kind of normal: during these last 70 days many have developed new habits around how and where and when to work, and changing back will require good managing, mentoring and coaching from you to help your employees make this next transition effectively. Remind others about the wisdom of sharing good values today.

Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772 – 1834): English poet, literary critic, philosopher, and theologian 

Better safe than sorry...

Most of us learned from our parents to say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ – those were big parts of being courteous. While there were and are many other aspects to courtesy, these days they especially relate to being careful and courteous around others… meaning don’t put yourself in a position to infect others or be infected by them.  I’d like to think that most people really don’t want to get this virus and. because most Covid-19 carriers are asymptomatic, it’s best to be cautious. ‘Better safe than sorry’ was another thing our parents taught us: in this case, wash your hands frequently, wear a mask, and practice social distancing. Each of these are small  acts, the kind that potentially pack a mighty wallop; conversely, the wallop is potentially even mightier if you don’t. Now that people are going out and back to work, it’s doubly important that they continue these safety practices, and that their managers reinforce their importance. The moral of this story: show that you care about others by continuing to be careful and cautious and courteous today.

Lewis Carroll (1832-1898): Author, Mathematician, Photographer, and Clergyman; he wrote Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

Err on the side of caution and safety...

The reopening of businesses and communities is proceeding: some say "too quickly", others "not soon enough". Some have argued that the experts really aren’t… but who’s to say: there’s too many opinions and questions, and too little clarity. The truth, and the answers, are probably somewhere in the middle. In dealing with this completely unknown virus, having patience and perseverance seems to be the best way to make it disappear.  Managers need to help guide their employees through this transition, focus on health and safety, define the new rules and roles of the office and work, solicit input from their employees, remain flexible, seek out assistance from public health officials and best practices from industry peers, and practice transparency and consistent communications.  This is a task that few expected, but all need to master.  If I sound like a broken record it’s because repetition is a useful learning practice: effective leadership is needed now more than ever. There will be no magic to containing the virus while reopening companies and venues: go slow and focus on safety today.

John Quincy Adams (1767 – 1848): American statesman, diplomat, lawyer, and diarist who served as the sixth President of the United States.

Be a role model...

As communities and businesses proceed with reopening, many people are fearful that this might cause a renewed outbreak of Covid-19. All the confusion, arguments and acrimony aside, this reopening was going to start at some point and the challenge now is to do it right. If you’re a manager in the middle of this, try to keep your fears to yourself and help guide your employees through this potentially scary transition. Continue to follow the science and advise them to wash their hands regularly, wear a mask, and practice social distancing. Don’t just tell them, do these things yourself and in that way inspire their behaviors by your own actions. Staying closed or opening everything immediately are the two extremes here: the middle ground can and should be filled with caution, flexibility, and these simple practices. The science behind what’s gone on during this extended lockdown is complicated, but the leadership you can and should be providing now is not. Be a role model and help your employees overcome their fears and anxieties today.

Robert Louis Stevenson (1850 – 1894): Scottish novelist and travel writer

Here we go...

Whether we’re ready, or not, the move is on to loosen the Covid-19 related restrictions and open up communities and businesses. Whether we support this or not, many people will be anxious to go out and do things and go back to work, and others won’t. While there are all kinds of arguments for and against these things, the science is still clear and unequivocal: continue to be careful, consider wearing masks, and practice social distancing. Managers will be the key to making this work: have clear and unequivocal policies and discuss them with your employees, listen to their questions and concerns, be consistent when enforcing these policies, and follow the guidelines yourself. Don’t hesitate to rearrange office and workspaces to allow for appropriate distancing, enforce the proper wearing of masks if that’s in your policy, and be flexible when accommodating any exigencies that might occur during this transition. You’re responsible, and the best way to succeed is by helping others understand how they can succeed.  Be thoughtful, professional and creative to make this latest transition succeed today.

Napoleon Hill (1883-1970): Motivational Author

Practice what you preach...

There are so many articles and news stories about what managers can or should do during these times, especially with so many of their employees working from home. Zoom calls are all the rage – we’re now referring to all online video meetings by that brand name, a la Kleenex and Xerox. Empathy has found its way into all communications so much that it’s the new favorite employee assistance practice. But of all the skills – soft and hard – that managers need to practice, being a role model is at the top of the list. For years, companies have conducted countless supervisor training classes, many of which senior leaders failed to reinforce effectively: but employees today have been asked to do things that need to be reinforced by leaders who practice them too. Leading by example during this pandemic is more that wearing masks and practicing social distancing: it includes (but is certainly not limited to) saying please and thank you often and meaning it, actively listening to their employees’ thoughts and suggestions and following up with appropriate responses, improving engagement by being fully engaged themselves, and encouraging participation in projects and discussions by actively participating too. In good times and bad, the skill of leading by example is critically important. Be a good example today.

Donald Francis Shula (1930 – 2020): American professional football coach and player and the winningest coach in National Football League (NFL) history

Fill in the blanks...

Did you ever think that ___ – fill in the blank; if you filled it in with something that has to do with what’s been going on these past few months, the answer would be “NO”, because there’s no way any of us could have imagined this pandemic and what we’re going through. It would’ve seemed impossible, until it wasn’t. And every one of us needs someone to talk to about this. I’m lucky: my consulting partner is also a clinical psychologist. Every day we talk, mostly about business; but the conversation almost always gets back to “how are you doing”. He lets me talk, and listens; he says: “tell me more”, and I talk more.  Afterwards, I feel a little better. Everybody needs that, and managers today are ‘it’ when it comes to providing that kind of support to the people they’re leading. No manager I know signed up for anything like this, and yet every manager today has to cope with this situation and these questions and help guide themselves and their people through this maze. Your role as a manager has mostly involved telling people “what” and “how”; it’s morphed into a role of being a mentor and coach, where you now ask questions and help them discover their own answers and possibilities. Be a coach and help others discover their way through this seemingly impossible situation today. 

Nelson Mandela (1918 – 2013): South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, political leader, and philanthropist who served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999

Don't lose heart...

In the news yesterday: Dr. Fauci warns lawmakers not to ignore guidelines to re-opening; South Korean Covid-19 cases surge in a second wave; and California’s Governor extends stay-at-home directive for Los Angeles thru July. That’s enough to take the strength right out of anybody.  People are trying to stay positive and safe – wearing masks and gloves and practicing social distancing: but it’s hard to go on when you don’t have the strength. Whether they articulate it or not, employees are weighed down by the changes, anxiety and uncertainty of these difficult times. Effective leaders understand this and need to help their people talk about and deal with these things: cataclysmic disruptions like this create opportunities to see things differently and develop new strategies. People are very resilient when you give them the facts, tools and support they need to continue on and be as flexible as circumstances require. Be a good listener and coach and give others the courage and strength to go on today.

Theodore Roosevelt Jr. (1858 – 1919): American statesman, politician, conservationist, naturalist, writer and 26th president of the United States

Stay the course...

I want to get out of the house as much as the next person, but not if it means messing up all we’ve accomplished in the past 10 weeks of staying safe. I appreciate that many Governors are loosening up some restrictions this week but am disheartened when I hear about crowded restaurants, full airplanes, shoppers without masks and people going out without any care or concern about their own or other’s safety. This sucks… but that’s no reason to give up now. As a country, and community, we’ve done a good job of flattening the rising curve of infections and deaths, but the science tells us that could be a fragile victory without continued personal restraint and vigilance. Leaders need to talk and listen to their people, understand their fears, needs and goals, and help them find the best ways to navigate through these difficult times. They need to set a good example by continually practicing safety and encourage their employees to do the same. And remind them that giving up now is the only sure way for all of us to fail in this battle against Covid-19. Everyone is responsible for our collective safety today.

Gena Showalter (born 1975): American author

Persistence matters...

“Continuous effort–not strength or intelligence–is the key to unlocking our potential.” Winston Churchill

On March 12 I pivoted and started focusing these daily messages on Covid-19: 45, so far, and counting. I’ve tried to add a human side to these and today will be no exception. Yesterday was Mother’s Day, a holiday celebrated by children everywhere in honor of the women who raised them, and local florists reported that this year’s holiday sales were nearly the best ever: these past 10 weeks have shown us what’s really important.  Yesterday I also participated in my granddaughter's drive-by birthday party, a very creative effort on the part of her mother to not let these current circumstances ruin the day: it’s nice to see the term “drive-by” have a positive impact and  connotation. And today, some businesses are slowly and carefully starting to re-open: leaders need to remind their employees that smart and steady can indeed win the race. We’ve had to be strong and smart during these past two months and now we have to be persistent, because playing it safe is the key to continuing to slow the spread of this virus and getting back to relatively more normal times. Thankfully, things are loosening up: continue to be safe, for yourself and others, today. 

Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill (1874 – 1965): British politician, army officer, war-time strategist, and writer.

Do the math...

Another week in self-quarantine and the support that this had back when we started is clearly starting to fray. Everyone seems to have an opinion on what’s best – from continuing to stay safe to questioning whether any of this was worthwhile. In times of crisis people want clear leadership, not a lot of speculation. There are clearly some areas where a loosening of restrictions is warranted, and others where it’s not, but it’s hard to fathom that some people seem intent on denying the seriousness of this virus and how easily it can be spread. Even if they care little for their own safety, society, communities, and even companies must always have a collective concern for each other: absent that, there’s little left to hold us together. All the speculation that the 24/7 news cycles keep repeating can only serve to confuse us, or worse… because when speculation has done its worst, two and two still make four: the science will not be denied. Don’t try to change the math: be smart and stay safe today.

Samuel Johnson (1709 – 1784): English writer who is often referred to as the most distinguished man of letters in English history

Stay smart and safe...

Most of us learned about Darwin’s ‘survival of the fittest’ and ‘natural selection’ theories in school as kids. If those theories are applied to this pandemic, then it’s likely that those who adapt appropriately will be the survivors. But it’s not just about social distancing and wearing masks, it’s also how companies re-organize their policies and practices, how leaders re-orient their thinking and styles, how employees re-prioritize their lives, and how each of us collaborate and improvise in ways that will keep us and others safe. There are lots of people saying that the government’s efforts to regulate our actions – closing non-essential businesses, restricting assembly, wearing masks, social distancing – are not right. Like them, I’m not sure what’s right, so I listen to the science and the experts who know about it and say this isn’t over yet. I want to survive – I don’t want to get this virus and possibly die, or maybe give it to others. Call me crazy, but if these measures are what it takes then I’m still in. Keep adapting and continuing to do what it takes for you and others to survive today.

Charles Darwin (1809 – 1882): English naturalist, geologist and biologist, best known for his contributions to the science of evolution

Emotional well-being matters...

Trying to do what’s right these days can get pretty disheartening: recently released internal FEMA documents project a worst case scenario of 200,000 new cases and 3000 deaths per day by June 1. We all willingly self-isolated for all these weeks thinking that by now the numbers would be starting to decrease, but this latest information sounds much different than what we were expecting. Even if it turns out not to be that bad, people are starting to get discouraged and antsy, and leaders are having to deal with their employee’s apprehension and growing depression. Most managers were never that good at (or, in many cases, discouraged from) dealing with emotional well-being: it wasn’t one of their core competencies. But now that this door has been opened, asking “are you okay” is part of the new appropriate and, once you go there, you have to be a supportive listener to further rapport and trust. And too, you also have to then (1) be consistent in this approach and, (2) keep a constant pulse on your people now and probably long after a return to something more normal. Even though this may be challenging, just remember that if you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else today.

Booker T. Washington (1856-1915): American Political Leader, Author

Keep your chin up...

There’s no getting around the fact that this sucks; unfortunately, we don’t have many options: stay safe or get sick, and possibly die. Of all the stuff we’ve lived through in my 70 years, this takes the prize. One thing I’ve learned: our attitude towards this, or any, problem is the most important factor in overcoming it. In this current situation, there’s no good to come of complaining about whether ‘they’ can or should close businesses, quarantine us, force us to distance ourselves socially, or require us to wear masks. If it’s what the doctor orders – we should all do it. I suppose some might argue that if someone wants to endanger or kill themselves, then nobody should be allowed to stop them; I just think that when that puts me in danger of dying then they’ve gone too far. I think we have to make the most of this time out, and our government should do all it can to keep us safe and secure. People should get over thinking somehow they’ve been wronged: it’s a pandemic and there’s nothing personal about it.  The moral of this story: stay safe and keep a good attitude today.

Napoleon Hill (1883-1970): American self-help author

Play safe with and for others...

I had to go back and look at my calendar to see how long it’s been since we’ve been self-quarantined here in our Las Vegas home: it’s easy to lose track of time.  Back on March 12^th(that’s when we started) I thought there was no way we could stay isolated for 8 weeks: I didn’t think we had the patience, strength, or discipline to do that. But now that we’re faced with the prospect of more weeks of this, we now know we have the strength to overcome things we once thought we couldn’t.  I understand the natural urge to want to get out and back to some kind of normal, but I also see the number of new cases here and realize that it’s not yet safe to stop this social distancing. As things start to loosen up, I believe that if everyone would respect everyone else and wear a mask when going out, the world will more quickly and safely get back to some forms of normal. If you’re going back out into the world, be a team player and have the strength to overcome your objections to wearing a mask today.

Rikki Rogers: Writer and Marketer in Washington, DC

Be patient and prudent...

There’s much debate these days about when and how to begin rolling back the restrictions we’ve all been living with for the past several weeks. I think most people want to survive this pandemic and are willing to do nearly anything reasonable to do so. If reasonable means staying healthy by self-isolating for longer than we thought, then that, however unpleasant, is probably ok.  But if reasonable means suffering economic ruin – losing a job and/or a home – that’s not ok. And it’s these two seemingly opposing options that is starting to make people act out. If you’re beginning to go stir crazy – I get it; if you need to go out to find ways to avoid economic ruin – I get that too. But if you just want to go to the beach or out with friends, I think you have to suck it up until the science tells us when and how it’s ok to do so. But, there’s no mystery about this – we all just want to stay alive and have something left to live for.  A leader’s role is to help their people find a light at the end of their tunnel, and to encourage them be patient, reasonable, prudent, and safe while doing what they have to do today.

Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky (1821 – 188): Russian novelist, short story writer, essayist and journalist