Leading through COVID-19: 3 questions to help you navigate
I hope you're staying safe, healthy, and as happy as can be expected.
I write you with a splitting headache, which is more likely due to *thinking* about coronavirus than actually having it.
As an extreme introvert and germaphobe who has been bracing for the next stock market downturn since Fall of 2017, I was MADE FOR THIS MOMENT.
So, first, and most importantly, I want to create a safe space for you to ask for what you need as COVID-19 unfolds. My email is open to you. If I can't support you directly, I'll do my best to connect you with someone who can.
There's so much to say about COVID-19. Here's what's top of my mind based on the convos I've had in the last few weeks.
Stay Connected: Continue Building and Deepening Relationships
Whether you've just kicked off your career change or are smack in the middle of your journey, don't stop networking! Even if you're blissfully happy in your job, don't stop networking.
It's not just for your career. It's how we get through this. Staying connected is the most important thing, especially as we physically distance.
What's Your Default Leadership Mode?
No doubt you're already facing tough decisions: how to convince your parents to stay home, what the heck to do about childcare/homeschooling, what to do when members of your household are responding to the situation differently, how to balance *your* physical/mental/emotional/financial health with that of your loved ones—just to name a few.
Of course, there's also the fear and anxiety for high-risk individuals on the front lines, immunocompromised, and 60+ years of age. There's also confusion: what's the right way to practice social distancing?
Then there's the loss of agency and autonomy. We know we need to limit our activities for the greater good, but it's hard to give up our freedom of movement and socialization. Those are things that keep us sane that we look forward to.
It's so much to process.
And it brings out the best and worst in people. We are all ALWAYS leading in every moment. And some moments are better than others. 😬
If you're able to get present and curious, your response to COVID-19 over the past few weeks is a great opportunity to observe patterns in how you tend to respond in situations big and small...How do you react to uncertainty? Are you driven by data or instinct? Do you feel calm or anxious? Do you prefer to create the plan or execute someone else's? Are you angry with how others are handling their response? Are you focused on all the love and beauty, or on all the anger and ugliness? Are you bewildered and not sure what you're feeling? Do you just want to turn it off and run away?!
These are extraordinary events, but our patterns are often quite consistent. What do you notice about yours?
3 Questions You Can Apply to Any Situation
There's no right or wrong way to lead. We all process things differently. It's okay to feel whatever you're feeling.
Here are some questions you can use to get clear and act with intention:
What do you want and need for yourself to be healthy—mentally, emotionally, and physically?
How do you want to support others? (Only if you're truly able. It's okay if you're not; boundaries are important here.)
What can you control? What is outside of your control? What can you do to shift more energy to what you can control?
This is a marathon, not a sprint. The answers to these questions might vary from day to day, situation to situation. Give yourself permission to change your answers as you gather more information.
There are all sorts of ways to lead. And sometimes that's allowing yourself to be helped. Ask for what you want and need.
What's Happening with Me
Of course I'd prefer for things to be more boring, but I'm kind of in my element. The same qualities that make me neurotic on a normal day make me a great resource in a crisis. Thank you chaotic childhood?! 🤷♀️
Personally and professionally, I'm trying to figure out what I want to do more or less of to best support people.
I'm lucky that most of my work is online, but I'm preparing for my sole corporate gig to be canceled for the full year. I've canceled a business trip-slash-boondoggle to Austin, which we're figuring out how to do remotely. I'm most bummed that I was scheduled to have my apartment photographed by an online design service (kind of a cool thing to be asked as a design nerd). I've also put a local meet-up launch on hold. Kind of a bummer, but these are all fancy problems to have in the scheme of things.
I'm using this opportunity to connect MORE with friends, family, and colleagues. I've had some of the most uplifting, snarkiest, and unexpected conversations in the past few days--just from reaching out and asking how people are doing.
Obvi, I'm also very focused on my vibrant-but-still-78-year-old mom. (I think she's probably more annoyed than comforted by my COVID-19 updates and increased remote check-ins, but whatever it takes! 😂)
Yes, I did panic-buy coffee but am dangerously low on hot sauce and am already rationing seltzer.
Hope For the Future
COVID-19 is transforming our lives and the world of work for the foreseeable future—and in some ways forever—in ways we can and can't anticipate.
Here's what I hope comes out of it:
Remote work finally becomes a permanent option
More people wake up to the precariousness of so many people's finances and healthcare...and take action to change it
We build new daily habits of connectedness and concern for one another
We realize that we all have the same potential to lead—some are leaders in name only, while others step up beyond our expectations
My biggest hope is that people use this crisis to go after what's most important to them—in their careers, relationships, and creatively.
Life is so fragile and precious. We are creative, innovative, and resilient. We'll get through this together.
The street performer outside my window is singing an achingly-beautiful rendition of "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen. Otherwise, the streets are empty. Despite this madness, the tulips are still blooming.
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Author Bio:
Before becoming a coach, Caroline worked in management consulting and financial services. She's made it her mission to help people grow, contribute, and get wherever they want to go.
She’s also a tennis fanatic, aspiring Minimalist, FIRE (Financial Independence and Retire Early) enthusiast, and Aloha Spirit seeker 🤙. She loves to share stories from her unconventional life and career focused on freedom, creativity, fun, health, family, and community. If she can do it, you can, too.
The life and career you want is possible once you have the roadmap. Take the first step by downloading your free guide: 4 Steps To Take Back Your Life and Design a Career With Purpose.