Leading Through Challenging Times

Saying COVID-19 was one of the most challenging times in human history is an understatement. As the world navigated the effects of that disaster, no where was the impact more profound than in healthcare. During the COVID-19 pandemic, leaders learned to utilize new practices and concepts on the fly and ensured they kept their patients as well as their teams safe. Staff were stressed, overworked, fatigued and in many cases burnt out.  During that time we utilized skills and adopted behaviours that we should always continue to use since the work environment produces many challenges. When times are difficult or challenging for individuals on our teams or for the teams as a whole, there are a few things we must do as leaders:

We need to listen and if it’s not our normal attribute, we need to make it an obligation to listen. Listen to what staff are saying (do not provide lip service), but actively listen, be attentive, interact and be honest.

Be Present –We need to find ways to be visible despite the multiple commitments.

Model the Way (Kouzes & Posner, 2017) – Lead by example.  Staff are sometimes tired, patience and tolerance are low; we need to be the model of patience and tolerance.

Be self-aware (Daniel Goleman, 2019) - Take stock of our own feelings, motives, desires and weaknesses and ensure we are not imposing them on others.

Be ourselves, more importantly our best selves – staff will appreciate our honesty and authenticity.

Be compassionate – For example, if staff are experiencing childcare challenges and they are seeking temporary accommodations until it’s resolved, our response is not to simply say that it’s not the responsibility of the unit or organization.  Rather, take the time to understand regardless of whether we are able to change the outcome, and be prepared to be flexible where possible.

Most importantly we need to take time to care for ourselves – Working from home in cozy clothes and slippers is not a break. Taking time to recharge is not a fad; mental fatigue can be more negatively impactful than physical fatigue. We can’t care for others if we are depleted.

Leaders are not perfect, but we can be authentic and continue to strive to be our best.