Until you tend to the intangibles your team is wrestling with, being able to open back up for business won’t be your biggest hurdle post-COVID.
Doing that requires intention and attention to the energy you feel coming from your team members.
Because oftentimes, what they’re secretly worried about is nothing they’ll express out loud.
THE ENERGY OF FEAR
Your doors are open. Customers are returning slowly but surely.
But your staff is waiting for the other proverbial shoe to drop. The resurgence of cases of the virus may cause another shut-down of non-essential businesses.
Until you address the uncertainty of what “could” happen and the insecurity of having a business to return to work at, fear can and will overtake your group.
Here’s a very specific and simple method you can use to move your team out of fear mode.
A NEW NORMAL
Although their businesses are slowly opening up, the impact of this pandemic lingers and continues to create havoc. Many are asking, ” what will the new normal look like?”
MANAGING THE TANGIBLES
As essential businesses, healthcare leaders and their teams navigate, adjust, and craft their plan for the obvious factors.
Patient volume, revenue streams, and a shift in staffing needs and availability are all on the radar.
Yet, the theme that continues to surface as this pandemic fluctuates daily is the uncertainty, ambiguity, insecurity, and at times fear creating an undercurrent.
An undercurrent that is intangible, but very real. It is creating another level of stress and frustration.
A SHIFT TO INTANGIBLES MANAGEMENT
As a healthcare owner and leader, you’re accustomed to shifting and adjusting to changes in patient volume, referral sources, reimbursement, and the like.
But you’re less comfortable with the intangible needs of your staff.
Needs that may not be shared but just demonstrated or felt…
Signs and symptoms of insecurity, uncertainty, fear, and other emotions.
You start asking,
“How do I help them understand, feel safe, and reduce their anxiety about the challenges we are all faced with?”
IT STARTS WITH UNDERSTANDING
First, you need to understand that they are your most important asset.
Second, fear, uncertainty, reservedness, and hesitation left unaddressed will quickly lead to distrust.
You may say, “We worked this out and have moved beyond these signs and symptoms,” but I think you all now know the truth.
This virus is continuing to create havoc and trigger signs and symptoms in different ways.
And third, this is your opportunity, as a leader, to shift this undercurrent, into positive, forward-thinking behavior.
FORWARD THINKING TO FUTURE-PACE YOUR BUSINESS
Here is how to be that forward thinker.
You as a leader must be open, vulnerable, and acknowledge your staff’s feelings frequently.
Create an open dialogue where you are engaging, sharing perceptions, stories, and solutions.
This intangible undercurrent will shift to openness, collaboration, innovation, and a fabulous culture that will carry you, your team, and your business forward.
CONNECTION AS IT’S MEANT TO BE
Remember, this is a beautiful opportunity for you to enhance your leadership skills while creating the culture you want, need, and value.
It is a simple approach.. go forth and jump in, you’ll like the result.
TEND TO INTANGIBLES TO BUILD STRONG TEAMS
COVID isn’t the biggest problem your business faces if you have no team to help you stay in business.
When you make the choice to lead with vulnerability and tend to intangibles your team members are facing, you create an environment of trust.
If identifying the undercurrent your team is feeling so you can address it is a struggle, let’s hop on a free call to talk about it.
You’ll leave our session with a clear set of action steps to take in order to manage your team’s intangibles.
