After the last fifteen months or so, returning to “normal” or whatever the equivalent of that has evolved, is in flux. I know at my business, we cannot predict, even day-to-day, how much business we’ll have because most of the models we used pre-Covid have gone by the wayside.

The key to maintaining interest and more of an equal environment is to become more inspirational as a leader, versus being more of a manager coping with constant changes and challenges, some of which are positive and exciting. I return to one of my favorite books, Finding the Space to Lead, by Janice Marturano (2014). She was futuristic in her approach to leadership with four keys: focus, clarity, creativity, and compassion.

With focus, it means to be present, to take time and genuinely be in the moment. This helps one to not simply react but take action in a meaningful manner. It takes into account not only the task that has to be taken, but the participants involved and the impacts that are taking place. This is a skill which can be cultivated, and it is the savvy leader who can instinctively respond in ways that make sense.

Clarity is simply seeking to understand others and being able to articulate goals and expectations. Most folks like to know what is happening around them and how they fit into the total picture. They want to be heard and be part of the decisions impacting them and the business. It engenders excitement and energy. Do you ever feel as if you are not being heard?

This leads into the third key of creativity. When information is shared, when there is real participation in daily goals and objectives, as well as long-term, the engagement is real and lasting. It promotes a feeling of security, which is what we all need right now in our work environments. For this process, a leader must step back and allow participation without judgement; for some of us that is hard. Again, a great skill to master.

Which moves us to the fourth key, compassion.  We may consider compassion as something not really important in our work lives. Consider compassion as a way to tap into the emotional environment. How is change impacting your employees? Are they afraid? Are they excited about the future? What is happening outside of work in your community that may be affecting your folks? We cannot exist in isolation anymore. Work and our personal lives are continually intersecting. How can you as a leader navigate that?

So, take a current work situation. What is going on with the tasks and employees? What are the impacts internally and externally? What can you do to influence and inspire? What challenges do you have? How can we help?

Dau Consulting is prepared to coach manager and allow them to become transformative leaders. We have worked with individuals and teams to bring them into this next exciting phase of work life.  – Ann Beck