Like you, I've seen seemingly thousands of blogs, columns, podcasts, videos, anecdotes, and articles about how to survive, connect, and be productive working from home during "Stay at Home" mandates. I haven't reviewed every single one as that would be impossible given the sheer amount of them. The ones I have, however, contained terrific information that will surely help those forced to work from unfamiliar places like kitchen tables, garages, basements, and the like.
If you're looking for that type of information, you should stop reading now, as this will not be one of those blogs.
I've always found writing to be cathartic – especially during difficult times. To me, the blank page represents a tremendous amount of solace to my continually racing mind, and it's a rare occasion that I find myself struggling to write what's rattling around my noggin. Yet, over the past week, I've started, stopped, and started over this blog at least a dozen times as I can't seem to find the words that I want to share with myself, let alone the world. In the past, I've called this "fighting with my blog" rather than the more pedestrian "writer's block" – likely because the former makes me feel more manly, but I digress.
The past two weeks have turned the entire world into a place very few of us recognize:
- Social distancing means minimal contact with humans outside of immediate family
- Grocery stores ransacked making it challenging for many to feed their families
- Mass layoffs and furloughs impacting every industry
- An air of uncertainly regarding everything we thought we knew
Closer to home – and by "home" I mean the promotional products industry – it's been disheartening to watch so many businesses cease manufacturing, furlough employees, and, in some cases, just shut their doors altogether. I live in Nashville, where a majority of promotional product purchases are centered around the music industry. With so many festivals and tours canceled due to COVID-19, many of these companies are having to make difficult decisions impacting both their people and their organizations.
I've spent much of the past week on the phone or in various virtual meetings with industry friends where we have sympathized, empathized, and commiserated over the difficult decisions that either had been or might have to be made. After reflecting on these conversations, the one theme that continues to come up – other than that none of the decisions will be made lightly – is how each of these folks is leading with their hearts first - and I can relate.
Back in 2002, I worked for HALO Branded Solutions while the company was in the throes of a very ugly and public bankruptcy. I still recall the daily cash meetings wondering if we would meet payroll, the discussions on how to protect the commissions of our salespeople, and how to make good on promises made to suppliers. I also remember having to close entire offices, which meant laying off 30 people at a clip – people who did nothing to deserve the news I had to deliver to them.
I recall being greeted with a wide range of emotions: anger, frustration, panic, sadness, confusion, and, in a few cases, even understanding. I met with everyone as a group and then each person individually to go over their "package" and answer any questions they had. In every case, I did everything I could to be patient, kind, caring, understanding, and empathetic. As you might imagine, these days were exhausting on just about every level, and I'm not ashamed to admit I would usually find myself not being able to hold back tears at the end of them.
Those words – patient, kind, caring, understanding, and empathetic - were the same words my friends used last week as they faced similar decisions and actions. Reflecting on my own experiences, I know they are on the right path for both their employees and themselves.
In times like these – uncertain, scary, unsettling, and lonely – leading with your heart first often provides the space to make difficult decisions in a way that you'll be proud of not just today, but in the years to come.
In times like these, being an emotional leader is not only okay; it might even be necessary.
“It's times like these you learn to live again
It's times like these you give and give again
It's times like these you learn to love again”
- Foo Fighters, Times Like These