Rise to the Challenge of COVID-19

Organizations and leaders are now faced with the largest public health disaster and a once-in-a-century economic crisis. The number one challenge – and area of opportunity – for organizations around the world is to mitigate risk associated with COVID-19 and navigate highly volatile and uncertain waters, all while bringing mission and vision to organizations and teams personally and professionally impacted by this crisis.

How has COVID-19 impacted our society, organizations, and teams? In significant and far-reaching ways.

Organizations and leaders who have never had to manage a remote and dispersed workforce are now operating 100% virtually. The in-person management and collaboration many leaders were accustomed to is simply not available to us anymore.

In industries that have been highly impacted by the social restrictions from COVID-19, like the hospitality industry, which cannot operate while shelter in place and quarantine recommendations are in place, are experiencing mass layoffs, furloughs, and slashed budgets. How can these organizations withstand the current market trends and ensure a successful future?

Organizations with flexible workforces that can work from home using distance technology are also facing the secondary impacts of COVID-19. At these organizations, teams are being reduced and expectations to rise to challenge of market disruptions are even greater. How can leaders at these organizations continue to drive productivity?

Companies that offer vital and in-demand services, like trucking, technology, and grocery stores, among others, are being called upon to produce more results, work faster, and operate at a highly effective capacity. How can these organizations equip their leaders and teams to do more, faster, and in a time of worry and high stress? And, how can they retain their highest potential and high performing leaders at a time when their skills are more in-demand by competitors than ever?

Bottom Line: We are in the midst of a critical moment, when we have the opportunity to pro-actively create and support environments and teams where all employees can produce at their highest levels.

Expectations and challenges have never been greater. Are you preparing leaders to rise to the challenge of COVID-19? Are you creating and maintaining a culture where every employee is contributing at the highest levels?

The strongest organizations – those that will come out the other side of this unprecedented economic and public health crisis – will be able to respond to changing environments and needs quickly and thoroughly. A time of crisis can also represent great opportunity. Organizations which rise to this challenge and re-commit to the best practices of employee engagement and leadership development will turn short-term survival into long-term success.