As we’re all encouraged to wear masks, I’m sure you’ve had moments when you couldn’t understand the person speaking. That happens for two reasons:
- The sound of their voice is muffled by the mask,
- You’re not able to see their lips moving, which would help you to understand them better
Maybe you and your team are all working from home, maybe you’re all back at work full time and full steam ahead, or maybe you’ve got a hybrid situation, where some are WFH and some are in the workplace. Regardless of the exact circumstances, communication is more important than ever. And as a leader,
HOW you communicate is just as important as WHAT you communicate.
I recently returned to workout classes at the gym. (Can you say Quarantine Fifteen?) And yes, beaucoup precautions were taken to ensure everyone’s safety. In addition to creating a safe space – I.e. social distancing, we wore masks. (I’m not gonna lie – kicking and jumping and punching for a straight hour is tough enough under normal circumstances, but with a mask … well you get my point.)
It was interesting, because the instructor had to totally adjust the way she led the class. As a leader, regardless of what phase, stage, or set up of your work or team, and mask or no mask, you’ll do well to adapt some of the same principles my fitness instructor used, in your communication.
Here are some leadership communication tips you might find helpful:
- Be patient and understanding. Just like at the gym, everyone is challenged by the current circumstances and everyone feels a bit (and maybe a lot!) off-kilter.
- Be real and authentic. Acknowledge the challenge of it all instead of trying to act like you’ve got it all together. People will be able to relate to you more, and therefore more inclined to trust you.
- Communicate early and often. It’s especially important right now that you amp up your communication and err on the side of over-communication. Let me repeat that for those on the back row: Err on the side of over-communication. My fitness instructor told us early on, that it was okay to remove our masks temporarily if we were struggling to breathe. It might seem obvious, but it gave us all clarity and comfort.
- Use video conferencing – even if you’re self-conscious about your quarantine hair. Just like our exercise instructor demonstrated the moves visually, being able to see each other is really valuable. Eyeball to eyeball convos, whether via Zoom, or in-person, allow you to observe body language, facial expressions, and signs of stress in team members. You might also see who’s a dog person and who’s a cat person, and other interesting personal factoids, but don’t let that detract from the value of video. It’s the next best thing to being there.
- Listen for what’s not being said. Schedule regular one-on-one meetings with team members. Ask and be sincerely interested in family members and work situations, etc.
- Set clear expectations and back off. Many people – not you of course – think that they should be monitoring every move of every team member every minute of their every “workday.” Let me be perfectly clear. Hold on while I pull my mask down so you can read my lips …. This is not the time for micromanaging! Some of the best group fitness leaders lead as the “guide on the side,” and they don’t make you feel like you are being scrutinized the whole time you are perfecting your “downward dog.” Trust your people to do the best they can with what they’ve got. Don’t breathe down their neck, don’t look over their shoulder. Just. Don’t. Do. It.
- Create a safe space. Allow time and opportunity for people to be human, to share their challenges and frustrations, as well as good news.
- Bake in some fun! Seriously, ya’ll. Ditch the hyper-professionalism, if that was ever a thing, and let your hair down. Schedule a Zoom Happy Hour, send out a Virtual Meetings Bingo card to everyone and play during your next meeting, schedule a Zoom Trivia Night, or build team rapport and trust by scheduling a meeting and using one of these great icebreakers.
Connection, community, and communication have never been more important than they are at this very moment. We’re at a critical juncture and the way that you choose to lead and communicate will impact the loyalty and commitment of your team for a long time to come. Please choose wisely.
I’d like to hear from you!
- How are you adapting and innovating the way that you work and lead?
- What are your greatest challenges in this “New/Next Normal?”
- What are you most “jazzed” about as we enter this new “era?”
Pop a comment below – or hit reply – and share your outlook. I’m happy to be your guide on the side as we re-imagine the way we work and lead. If you’d like to explore ways that you can work with me, schedule a complimentary discovery call today!
You might also like:
Women in Leadership: You Are Contagious
Leadership Tips to Develop Non-Negotiable “New Normal” Habits
Why Your Employees Should Stop Thinking Like Employees
Jennifer Ledet, CSP, is a leadership consultant and professional speaker (with a hint of Cajun flavor) who equips leaders from the boardroom to the mailroom to improve employee engagement, teamwork, and communication. In her customized programs, leadership retreats, keynote presentations, and breakout sessions, she cuts through the BS and talks through the tough stuff to solve your people problems.
Photo by engin akyurt on Unsplash
