Leading through Challenging Times to creating Transformational Changes
Posted on November 16, 2021 by Jass Malaney , One of Thousands of Life Coaches on Noomii.
Leading through hard time, executive who provide empathy, care, and hope, achieve collaborative and engaged teams.
The past few months in response to the COVID pandemic have caused disruption and chaos, which are unparalleled in scope or scale ever witnessed in history. Every individual, organization and business have faced the severity of the crises and in some ways, which has compelled them to move from the traditional style of operating to implementing digitally transformative change initiatives.
My client, head of VP Sales for a Global Medical Equipment company, was feeling the disruption and challenges as his team members due to the travel restrictions were unable to conduct sales calls or manage relationships with clients remotely. Several initiatives to readjust the targets, boost morale and support the team were failing to bring results.
The added stress of yet another quarter of underperforming sales KPIs was weighing on him, when he engaged me to facilitate Team Coaching for the team.
During the diagnostic stage, I came across a recent Gallup Employee Engagement tracking survey for the well-being of the workforce during an unprecedented time of disruption shows the unpredictability of the workforce in times of crises. In the sample survey the engagement dropped to a record low of 31%, from 38% in a few months, while attributing it to a variety of reasons such as working from home, political & societal unrest and COVID recovery. Gallup discovered that engaged workers who are not thriving in their lives are much more vulnerable and may spread their unhappiness to others.
In understanding the multiple challenges faced by the crises, I found embracing the change would require a new kind of mindset for this team. In gearing them up to prepare in taking up the challenge would be to get them to become creative on the virtual platforms, with a new set of business acumen as well as courage to undertake risk and a commitment to capitalize on it all.
Leveraging on the buy in now.
In addressing the compelling reasons for the change and urgency to get sales done via virtual platforms was evident and understood by all. The catalyst to bringing in transformative change and creating a sense of urgency to get it done was now, as it was propelled by the reality that the organization was now operating in survival mode.
As a result the urgency helped us get past the why it needs to get done and by when. The crisis helped us shift the focus to what needs to be done and how to achieve it.
Leading with collaborative engagement
To bring in transformative change both internal and external stakeholders needed to be involved in the planning and execution of the new strategies. This was an opportunity for the leadership to address the fear, uncertainty and doubt of future success allowing for trust in the teams to fully engage in collectively creating solutions and strategies to keep the business viable. If there is hope at a time of crises, where organizations could unite for a common purpose and capitalize on the transformational change that the COVID crises has presented to us. In facilitating a few brainstorming sessions, the team members bonded to start collaborating and implementing fresh ways of accomplishing sales.
In conclusion
While every crisis brings about an opportunity for learning and change, business leaders need to champion and mobilize their organizations to achieve exceptional results. In implementing the strategic steps within one quarter, the team transformed and was able to meet their set targets with some regions surpassing the set KPIs to grow the offering in their territories.
Author Andrew Razeghi in his book “Hope: How Triumphant Leaders Create The Future” offers a unique and positive perspective on leading during challenging times.
“Hope sets objectives, ignites will, focuses the organization in turbulent times, renews energy, displaces boredom as it succeeds, fosters creativity and innovation, and hope inspires people to want to do the right thing.”
How are you keeping up hope in hard times in your organization?
If you would like to consult us for the strategies we implemented for this client, book a call to know more.
