How to lead your team in times of crisis

At the moment, we are certainly in a time of crisis. However, crises happen all the time and can impact working life for days if not weeks or months. Knowing how to lead your team in times of crisis is vital. In this case, I am talking about external crises that are outside of your control rather than simply making an error within your business. 

Not so long ago, The Beast from the East shut down towns and cities and more recently winter flooding destroyed countless homes and business premises. Navigating your team through times like these isn’t always easy, but effective leadership can ensure you maintain a strong workforce who remain healthy, happy and confident in their work; this can only have a positive impact on your business.

1. Acknowledge the situation

The first step in times of crisis is to accept something bad is happening and find out as much as you can about it. Learn and understand what is happening around you and your workforce. 

• How long is the situation going to last?
• How does your team feel about it now?
• How might your team feel in a few days?
• Has anyone been affected directly? 

Everyone reacts differently. Some people thrive. Most people don’t. Spend time finding out how people feel and how it affects their day-to-day life.

2. Create a plan of action

This is a non-negotiable. You must have a plan of action. While this isn’t easy when the things affecting you are outside of your control, it will be much harder to lead without a plan at all.

But be prepared for this plan to change, and often, so ensure you are adaptable. You must try to find a way out of the crisis if you can – or through it if you have to. After all, failing to plan is planning to fail. 

3. Involve your team

When making your plan, it’s important to involve your team. After all, you hired intelligent people so trust them. Don’t try and plan alone. Creating a clear plan together that has the full support of the team is more likely to be accepted and therefore easier to implement. 

But you don’t just have to seek help and ideas from your team. Get help wherever you can. You can speak to your mentor, your business coach or other business owners who are in the same situation too.

4. Lead from the front

You must always set the example. If your plan involves making significant changes then you must be the first person to make them.  If you want your team to work from home, then you must work from home first. If you need your team to earn less, make sure you cut your salary first. Whatever you are asking of your team and even of your clients, be sure you do it too. 

Be a shining example and not one to blame. You and your team are in this together and only together can you come out of it. When you create a feeling of unity then the boat you are in will be easier to steer.

5. Remain flexible

Accept that things can, and will, change all the time. Remember also that most people don’t like change and so be aware of how those changes will make your team feel.

Go back to the beginning and involve them again to create a new plan if the old one becomes redundant. This is a leadership quality that is extremely effective in times of crisis. 

While your team does not expect you to always have the answer, they will be confident you will always take logical steps and measures to ensure everyone can work through the problems together.

6. Communicate clearly

Clear communication is paramount in business at any given time, but even more crucial in times of crisis. Strong leadership is important and so step up and lead your team. Take the helm.

Members of your team might not be feeling themselves at this time so communicate clearly and let them know what the plan is. Break it down into smaller, manageable stages and ensure you talk the plan through. Do not deliver it by email or memo. 

Don’t forget your clients and your suppliers. Communicate your plans to them as well so they can be confident in both you and your team.

7. Keep calm and carry on

In times of crisis, you need to stay calm. As the leader, if you panic then your team will ultimately follow your lead and panic too. 

People mimic other people’s behaviour in times of crisis. Leading up to the government’s announcement that the UK was going to be locked down, we didn’t need to panic buy food and other supplies. But, because some people started to panic buy, rational people followed suit even though it was entirely unnecessary. 

As a leader, you need to exhibit the qualities and characteristics you want your team to display.

One thing to remember in all of this is that if you, as a business owner, need help, then ask for it. While you are expected to lead, you are not expected to have all the answers.