Summer is barely behind us, but let’s say it now: can 2020 be done already? Every time we turn around, it’s as if we’re hit by something new. When it comes to stepping up to overcome obstacles, our new normal is “now what?”

If these past six months have taught us anything about working with a team, it’s that our (very human) soft skills are what has been getting us through. When taking on one challenge after another, all of us are better off by staying connected and empowering one another for a new (and better) normal. That’s the central theme to a recent Inc. article about workplace leaders—“7 Keys to Effective Leadership in Our New Normal,” by Heidi Zak, which we’ve adapted for our readers here:

  1. Take a moment to show you care. As a rule, leaders care about how the people around them are doing. Working alongside people in the same space is one thing, but when we’re on the job apart, the importance of staying connected is heightened. Asking questions such as, “How are you doing these days?” and taking the time to listen helps everyone by enriching the day-to-day experience.
  2. Leaders need to share how they’re feeling, as well. Transparency helps make everyone feel part of something bigger than themselves. It builds trust. Want to take it a step further? Allow yourself to reveal your own vulnerabilities. Being open and honest about your feelings helps others feel safe in their emotional journeys. And your willingness to express and understand a whole range of emotions is going to better ensure that decisions will be the right ones.
  3. Leaders must create a safe environment where people feel a sense of belonging. As a leader, it’s your job to create an environment where people can feel a sense of belonging; people appreciate knowing their hours spent working toward the company’s mission have more meaning than earning a paycheck.
  4. Now more than ever, the mission of a company matters. Consider how your mission and the company’s mission relate to what’s happening in the world. Help connect actions that are relevant. How your company’s mission fits into these larger human narratives can dramatically change the way people see why their job isn’t just a job. The work we do can impact communities.
  5. Leaders must be willing to adapt. In a world of uncertainty, adaptability is key. During a global crisis such as COVID-19, flexibility and being able to make quick, informed decisions are vital to keeping things moving forward. Make a point to think through hypotheticals: “What would happen to the business if X happened? What would we do if we lost Y?” It’s far better to have answers to these types of questions before, rather than being caught on your heels—especially when nothing seems normal.
  6. Leaders have to remain optimistic about the future, without sugar-coating the present. Everyone around you needs to feel as though they can see the light at the end of the tunnel. That said, there’s no reason to become Pollyanna or Joey Blue Skies. Being optimistic means being candid, while at the same time acknowledging both the good and the bad, lessons learned, and the opportunity ahead.
  7. Leaders must over communicate. While working remotely, dial up your check-ins or set reminders for status updates to key decision makers. Effective communication also means leaving room for others to speak up: Be willing to let questions hang in the air for 20 seconds or more. By allowing virtual-meeting conversations to breathe, eventually someone will speak up and engage with unexpected questions. Serendipity sparks creativity, spawns happy accidents, and invigorates to prevent burnout.

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