Week 48 of Flattening the Curve

I spent some time last year talking about how a servant leader might approach life after COVID. It seems odd that in the waning days of February 2021, I'm considering when "after COVID" might actually be. If we are honest with ourselves, the answer is "never."

We've been here before. Well, maybe not us, but maybe our parents or our grandparents. They had to figure out how to live after the Spanish Flu pandemic in the 1920's - and they did. So will we.

Understanding just how pervasive COVID will be for our next 5 years, we need to look at how we, as servant leaders, will adapt because, well, adapt we must.

To start, we must understand that not everyone will view COVID or post-pandemic America in the same way. A majority will emerge and, true to current American culture, any opinion counter to the majority will probably face derision. We as servant leaders need to be the first to stamp that out. Derision, in any form, is not Christ like. I know, I shouldn't have to say it out loud, but this is America 2021. (Is that divisive? Divisive does rhyme with derisive, so...)

Seriously, though. Servant leaders need to be prepared to be the peacemakers. Solidly performing employees will balk at returning to the office. Their decision, whether based on fear or fact, must be respected. We need to reassure them that their concerns are valid and their continued performance is valued. We need to be prepared to step in (metaphorically and at least 6-feet physically) and cut off any criticism at the knees. An employee who can perform remotely should be allowed to continue until the science supports a return to normalcy. The servant leader's duty is to ensure that well-performing employee has all the tools necessary to continue being a productive member of the team.

That raises the next point - fear. Some employees will base their decision on fear, a fear fed by the news media, social media, and social circles. As a servant leader, you know that fear is a liar and a mighty good one at that. And while there is probably little you can say to change an employee's fear-based perspective, you can do the things necessary to foster the shift to a fact-based reality. To do that, you must know the science yourself and speak truthfully from the science, not from your own media or social influences.

One final point. Although you may not be able to fix everything in a post-COVID world, you can always listen. The most important part of communication is listening - and not only listening but actually hearing what the person is saying. Servant leaders listen first, ask questions when necessary, and talk only when required. If we listen patiently, we might even give that person the chance to work through the problem without our interference. And that, servant leader, is the growth we look to foster in everyone who surrounds us.

"So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God." (Jas 1:19-20, NKJV)

Be strong, Servant Leaders. Be bedrock. Be Galatians 6:9.

(Photo: etechglobalservices)