It’s a guarantee that life will bring us storms. When the storm is raging there will be confusion and chaos. When the storm is raging emotions will be raw and fear will take over. When the storm is raging there will be a strong need for calming influence.

COVID-19 is the storm we’re currently facing around the world. The information is coming out at a rapid and ever changing pace and it’s causing fear. This is the time for leaders, at all levels, to step up and be the calming influence. This is the time when true leaders shine.

For me as a leader there are 3 things I want to do in the storm: provide clarity, provide comfort and provide a path forward.

Providing clarity means letting those who follow you know what we’re truly facing. It’s about being honest with people and telling them the reality of the situation and not bringing false hope.

Providing comfort means letting them know we’re facing this together. It’s listening to their concerns and fears and working through them together.

Providing a path forward means showing them how we’re going to ride out this storm. It involves having a concrete plan and conveying that to those who are following you. It’s giving them the confidence to see we can get through this storm and things will get better.

Remember leadership is influence and we all have people we influence. So take a moment to step back and ask yourself how you’re leading those you influence through this storm? Are you providing what they need to ride out this storm without overwhelming fear and panic? As leaders, this is your moment!

Evolution of Self!