Tracy Bianco

Stop Hating Mondays.

Leadership Wins in the Time of COVID-19

Leadership Wins in the Time of COVID-19

by

Sure, the negative effects are there.

COVID-19 is responsible for many negative effects that we’re reminded of daily in what seems like an auto-repeat format. On TV, the radio, and online as well as communication from friends, family, and colleagues, the talk of COVID and everything horrible about it is anything but scarce. But does it have to be that way?

Trust me; I get that the negative effects are there. Many of them are factual and can be proven.

But I don’t have to be consumed by them.

I simply decided long before COVID showed up that I will commit to taking the LEAD when it comes to my thoughts and what I allow into my brain for consideration.

Scientists say that on average, we have 60,000 thoughts per day, and 80-90% of those thoughts are negative. This means, of course, that I could very easily wallow in the negativity that comes with a huge circumstance like COVID. I just choose not to. Instead, I focus on finding wins among the many losses that a situation like COVID can produce.

The leaders who hire me find those wins, too.

And I encourage my clients to do the same. The leaders who hire me are committed to being the leader others WANT to follow, and they can’t get to that place in the muck of negativity– although that’s often where we start.

Some negative thoughts they’ve shared with me over the past few months include:

MY CAREER

  • I now have to work from home.
  • Others being laid off means there’s even more work for me to do.
  • I’m at risk of losing (or already did lose) my job due to COVID.

MY HOME

  • Working from home with the kids here is beyond chaotic.
  • I’m now adding ‘teacher’ to my resumé, too.
  • Between the kids, the pets, and my spouse, the overwhelm is more real than ever.

MY TEAM

  • Productivity on my team has diminished since we began working from home.
  • I think I’m losing touch with my team members since we can’t physically be together right now.
  • I can feel them losing steam the longer this goes on.

MY HEALTH

  • The walls of this house seem to be closing in on me.
  • I miss my workouts and know I’m not eating as healthy as I could be.
  • Sleep has been challenging the past few months.

Then they find the wins to lead their thoughts.

Some work we’ve done on their thoughts in these areas:

LEADING MY CAREER

  • I have the PRIVILEGE of working in the comfort and safety of my home right now.
  • I’m fully capable of taking on a heavier load at this time and am learning to be more EFFICIENT in the process.
  • I now have the OPPORTUNITY to explore a new career path.

LEADING MY HOME

  • I used to complain about being away from the kids so much, and I’m GRATEFUL to now be here with them.
  • Being more involved in the kids’ education makes me CURIOUS as to what I’m going to learn, too!
  • I am BLESSED with an incredible family of both two- and four-legged beings.

LEADING MY TEAM

  • Partnering with my team on a system to keep production levels high has increased our mutual TRUST and RESPECT.
  • I now have the BENEFIT of quick, daily tag up meetings and regular, individual meetings to keep the team and me connected.
  • Touching base with my team members provides the opportunity to INSPIRE them to stay the course and tune in to their own wins.

LEADING MY HEALTH

  • Just five minutes of deep breathing– at my desk, in my bedroom, in the bathroom behind a locked door– gives me the PEACE I love so much.
  • I’m EAGER for my daily walk because I get to clear my brain and move my body at the same time.
  • When I commit to nourishing foods and daily movement, I SLEEP like a baby.

The commitment to a focus on wins is so worth it.

This thought work of moving from a loss to a win takes practice. It takes time. It takes commitment.

But just like a well-worn path in the grass from your house to your she-shed in the back yard, the more you do it, the easier and more rewarding it gets.

And when you Lead Yourself First in every area of your life, you’re not the only winner. Those you have the opportunity to lead– both professionally and personally—reap the rewards as well. And they look to you, their leader, as that person they truly WANT to follow.