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
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