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Use this time to connect with busy people. Is there someone you've been trying to collaborate with who is usually "too busy"? At this moment in time, they may not be. Ask, "Is there anything we can do to make life easier for you right now?" or "What can we do to help you prepare for when things start up again?" The idea is to show them you care about them as human beings, not just sources of revenue.
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Make a point to connect with your customers - without "selling" to them. We may think of them as a box to check off. Now we have time to really pay attention. Are they in the right seats? Who needs extra training and development? Who could take on new responsibilities? Sometimes we may be so busy we don't give evaluations the thought they deserve. Brainstorm with them on how you might do things better. But also, remember they may have more downtime right now so be sure to use it wisely. Spend time connecting with employees. Of course you want to make sure they're doing OK during this crisis. When you get a chance, reach out to employees, customers, and vendors just to let them know you care. You may not be able to connect in person but phone calls still matter. Folks will remember how you act right now, whether you make things easier or harder. Tend to relationships. Now is the time to build emotional bank accounts. What might sharpening your saw look like? Here are a few tips: Instead of thinking, How are we going to survive the coming months? we can think, When this is all over, how can we get even better than we were before? I saw someone refer to it as daring to be successful. I like that. But there's no reason we can't also set our sights high. The health and safety of employees is highest priority. I know how painful things are today - I feel it, too.
#Stephen covey sharpening the saw how to#
What leaders should be doing right now: Tips for how to lead in uncertain times Then, when the downturn reverses, and the economy comes surging back, we will be ready to catch the wave. Right now, we may have time to invest in our people, facilities, client relationships, and plans for the future. Stephen Covey would say, "sharpen the saw." "Pausing" gives us the chance to work on our business (not just in our business) in a way we can't do when things are booming. All of these changes are due to forces beyond our control - yet there are many things we can control.Īt times like these, great leaders look inward and use the time to regroup - or, as Dr. Still others are close to "normal" (well, "new normal" anyway, with people working from home), but in some cases, business has slowed to a crawl. Some businesses have temporarily shut down. One lesson is realizing there are things we can control and things we can't. Stress and uncertainty can bring with them some valuable life lessons.