If you are a leader in this difficult time, go on video as soon as possible and talk to the people that look at you for an answer. Make it a recurrent thing, and most of all make it about them. How they feel, what they fear, what they need, how they are going to get out on the other side (with your help).
All the rest is unneeded.
Why do people keep going out and gather in groups when they are told to stay in and avoid in person contacts?
Because it is very difficult for each one of us to picture what could be, what could happen, the damage (or good) we might be bringing about. Until that is finally here and now, close.
And of course, because asking people to change habits, to let go of freedom, to do something that is not on their agenda, can only be effective if your communication is clear, straightforward, honest and transparent.
That’s what authority is based on today.
Both these points, by the way, are good reminders for all those working in marketing and seeking to make a change.
Generosity and kindness work very well as a marketing tactic, particularly in times of uncertainty and discomfort.
If you have something valuable to share, do it. But value is not measured on your income statement, in this case more than ever. It is measured in the impact you have on those you serve, in the difference you make in their lives, in the ways you enhance their capacity to get past such difficult times.
If you have something valuable to share, do it. In all other cases, just continue business as usual. Leveraging the pandemic, covid-19, remote working, social distancing to sell a bunch of new subscriptions and products is not something we feel the need of.
Now more than ever, have your expectations clear and communicated to those around you.
As our personal, professional and family lives overlap for a necessary confinement, the worst thing that can happen is trying to keep all of them going at the same time.
Allocate the right amount of time to work, playing with the kids, relaxing, reading a book, exercising, cooking, and whatever else you have on your agenda, trying to maintain each activity separate from the others.
This is something you would benefit from in any time and circumstances, by the way.
In certain circumstances, when much is at stake, when it’s a matter of life or death, when you are trying to contain a problem that could have grim repercussion, overreacting can be the right choice. It’s about protecting something that is dear, and it is ok to be overly precautious.
Being preoccupied, on the other hand, is rarely the better thing to do. It’s a distraction to keep us busy, a way to delay important decisions, a focus that engulfs our mind and that we do not need.
Precaution is action that keeps the problem at bay. Preoccupation is debate that makes the problem big enough so that nothing else exists.
Precaution is (it should be) the language of governments, authority, leadership. Preoccupation is the language of media, populism and masses.
Choose carefully which one to utilize as you go about this difficult time.
You've got this 