A crisis such as the Covid-19 is the greatest test of any leader. We, and the teams we lead, are forced to think and behave in new and unfamiliar ways. The mindset we embrace and the actions we take will define the fate of our business, our teams, our families and our future career. We are being tested in every possible way.

Such difficult times can lead us to over-manage and under-lead; amplify ambiguity and focus on the immediacy of the crisis, forsaking longer-term goals.

The good news is that there is a way to grow you and your team at this time to position you all to thrive. Here are three important skills to harness:

1. The ability to navigate through ambiguity for long-term success. To set clear direction with your eye on the meta-view while being able to flex and pivot in the short term. To “know what to do when you don’t know what to do” by running the “unknown” of the current crisis through the “known” of previous business crises, parallels and past learnings. To ensure your costs are aligned to the new reality, your focus is customer-centric, your positioning competitive and your team aligned.

2. To inspire, unite, energise and delegate. To create team cohesion through a common, clearly articulated mission and purpose, inclusivity with each individual clear on how they can contribute and positivity – celebrating each win. More important than ever is instilling trust and confidence in an insecure world by being present, visible & available with open, honest communication.

3. Humanity. Recognising each individual and the challenges that they may be going through – concerns that their livelihoods and their homes may be at risk, juggling work and childcare (Powerpoint & Peppa Pig), loneliness when living and working alone and the blurring of work and personal boundaries. Taking the time to listen and to accommodate is critical. How can you make sure that you take everyone with you and don’t ‘lose a soldier along the way?’

This is a time of particularly heavy lifting for leaders. Having someone to partner you through this to brainstorm strategies, to tap into the skill of self-leadership and high-performing virtual teams, to champion and challenge and support your mental wellbeing is critical. This could be a trusted colleague or a coach.