Coping Mechanisms At Workplace Amidst Covid

Any crisis is characterized by two traits – unpredictability and uncertainty. It is the mark of a true leader to not dwell on yesterday's developments but to look ahead and plan for a more secure tomorrow. A predefined response plan is always less effective than assessing the real threat and taking measures to minimize the risk to their employees, as well as the company.

A pandemic does not warrant a predetermined emergency response. Leaders need to recognize the threat and the potential crisis it can cause. It demands the adoption of a flexible mindset based on authentic information and the assessment of the situation the company or team is currently in.

Here are the five prudent responses every leader in any industry and sector should consider in the face of the growing crisis:

Team management to tackle crisis

In typical emergencies, a company can ensure the maximum result and minimal risk by sticking to a command-and-control structure. However, during a pandemic, the same infrastructure of response will prove to be highly ineffective. Leaders barely have the understanding or familiarity of the crises arising from the threat of COVID-19 spread and infection.

It is impractical for one or a small group of company executives to collect, and process all the information regarding the imminent threat of COVID-19 infection in their area or among their staff. Leaders can mobilize the solution by appointing response-leadership teams, action teams, internal and external communications teams, colleague outreach personnel and tech management teams for the effective collection, comparison, verification and circulation of data and memorandum within the company. 

Reskilling and flexibility in the workplace

The traditional hierarchy of an organization might not be effective in containing or managing crises. Senior execs need to be ready to offer more responsibility and liberty to make decisions to their network of teams. 

It is the responsibility of the senior leaders to ensure that they offer the responsibility to the correct people, who can make correct crises-responses. With the evolution of a crisis, the team leaders may need to appoint more decision-makers from the network of teams or replace the ones affected by the situation.

A balanced approach to streamline the workforce 

Bounded optimism is a term used in the field of crises management. It is the result of combining reality with optimism and confidence. Exhibiting excessive confidence despite the dire situation can cause leaders to lose credibility and trustworthiness.

Bounded optimism comes into action when the company leaders show confidence that stems of research data, demographics and temporary company plans or policies that can tackle the crisis.

Informed decision making 

Making decisions is a big part of the job of any senior executive, but as the traditional hierarchy becomes inept to handle immediate crises, waiting for a full set of facts to emerge is not a luxury they can have! They need to authorize the team leaders to act based on the data available to them at a time. Since an emergency like this can involve an umpteen number of uncertainties and surprises, taking longer to make a decision can cost a company heavily.

The right decision making involves the power to assess current situations and to anticipate their impacts. 

Practice kindness and empathy at the workplace

The final responsibility is to deal with every human tragedy with empathy. It might be difficult for senior executives to reach out to individual employees to extend their emotional support, but that is exactly what is most necessary during these trying times. Questions like "will this hurt me? Will I fall sick? Is my family in danger?" will be more frequent than you believe right now. And no matter how many times an employee comes to express their concern to their team leader, their questions deserve to be answered honestly, but with empathy.

For all leaders out there handling the second wave

The Covid second wave has claimed thousands of lives. It is the leader's responsibility to find out how the COVID-19 crisis is affecting each of their employees and to take measures to help them. At the same time, leaders should take proactive steps to keep themselves safe and healthy.

Leaders should be the embodiment of deliberate calm and bounded optimism as the threat knocks at their doors. Following these 5 steps can help you keep yourself and your office environment safe, composed and productive in the days of the spreading novel coronavirus infections. Keep your communication channels open and be sure to send regular updates to everyone in your team even if they are working remotely.  

Yogita Tulsiani

Guest Author M.D & Co-founder, iXceed Solutions (Global Tech-Recruiter Provider).