It’s been proven scientifically and anecdotally that having a growth mindset is among the top traits that successful leaders share. Keeping an open mind and staying flexible are pillars of entrepreneurial growth, and will go far to help leaders strike balance at work and personally. Your leadership during a crisis is reflective of your ability to adapt and persevere, and doing so allows your business to have continued success and growth. There’s also much to be said about maintaining habits that continue this growth mindset during truly turbulent times of crises. 

As all corners of all organizations have witnessed from the impact of COVID-19, the economic landscape can shift daily. When you have a team that looks to you first during the decision-making process, recall some important fundamental leadership skills that provide all parties with the opportunity to grow and learn.

Embrace Ambiguity & Adjust Expectations

All of the schedules you’ve developed over the years, the routines that help keep you motivated, the processes you’ve automated? Be prepared to throw that all out the window. When you’re on a day-to-day basis when it comes to running your business, there’s no possible way to forecast everything. Try not to get bogged down by the details and embrace your employees to do the same. Offer more solutions (and acceptance) to find the autonomy to invest in their own professional growth during challenging times.

Even as a leader you’ll never have all of the answers. When you admit this to yourself and to your organization, you’ll have an easier time aligning expectations with the realities. Update everyone consistently and as often as possible, reaching out through the channels that you know are accessible to your employees.

Take the Stage

You’re generally in the spotlight, but during crisis situations, that light is bright and hot. Everything you do will be scrutinized and amplified; your words, actions, body language — all of it. This is not “business as usual” and if there’s ever been a time to go above and beyond, that time is now. Your team will take their cues from the top, and emotional intelligence and empathy are integral for business success.

Fast-track your self-awareness by staying positive, too. This can be difficult when you’re trying to create a culture of optimism, which is another reason to carefully curate your presence and responses. Be wary of yourself, your limitations, and especially your strengths to help create solutions to problems you may never have imagined as a leader.