How are you feeling right now?
We are certainly all operating in unfamiliar territory right now, and I know many of you will be on the frontline of some very challenging conversations around people and strategy in your businesses.
Cashflow burn and debt obligations are very real, business continuity and risk management plans are being put to the test like never before, revenue is crashing down, and stress and anxiety amongst staff is high.
In the midst of all this it is very easy to get swamped with all the decisions we need to make, so one of the most important things we can do as leaders is to ensure that we manage our own stress. This is the time to step up and become the leaders we wish we had.
Stress and fear impede our ability to think clearly and creatively so it is essential that we find ways to regulate our emotional responses, particularly because the emotions of the leader are highly contagious within organisations. So what can we do? How can we ensure that we are at our best to cope with the chaos?
Connection
A sense of belonging is one of our most fundamental needs as human beings. One of the most positive experiences for me this week has been getting face to face (in Zoom) with my peers and sharing both our concerns and also our suggestions as to how to support each other. There is such great power in connection and this is a moment when we can tap into technology to bring us closer together rather than pushing us apart as it so often does.
Technology makes it easy to hop online with your team or a group of peers, not only for the task focused to do lists but also for the water cooler chat we are missing by not being in the office. Hold virtual coffee meetings or virtual happy hour on Friday afternoon! I have lined up a virtual CFO Women's lunch next week, and if you are interested in similar events please let me know.
Music & Movement
One of my favourite ways to lift my mood if I am starting to slump is put on some music and dance around the kitchen! I have realised this week that I have simply not been doing this enough and it is absolutely something we need to introduce into more workplaces!
Music can have a powerful effect on the brain so listening to your favourite songs can ensure a hit of dopamine, and once you start dancing or exercising to it you also are also releasing endorphins. It is all too easy to spend all day sitting at our desk so any movement we can get is great.
Meditation
Creating space for quiet reflection and breathing is critical in times of stress. I find that just 10 minutes a day (preferably twice a day) can be enormously helpful and even a 3 breath practice before an important meeting can make a difference. There are lots of meditation apps and also some meditations particularly designed for grounding yourself in troubling times, I love the metaphor in this one: Eye of the Hurricane meditation.
Gratitude
At times like this it is all too easy to become consumed with thinking about what we don't have or what we are missing out on (parties, football matches, travel, income) so thinking back over your day and focusing on 3 things for which you are grateful can provide a fantastic and positive perspective.
Sleep
And an absolutely basic requirement for our wellbeing is a good night's sleep. That can be hard if we are stressed and worrying about our jobs or businesses so ensuring good sleep hygiene is important (see Headspace's recommendations here), and perhaps introducing a calming yoga or meditation session before bedtime as an additional support.
Focus
I recommend starting each day by giving yourself a space to think clearly and asking what is most important today?
Great leadership has never been more important in organisations than right now and I want to be part of your support crew so if I can help in any way please reach out and we can have a chat.
Be kind to yourselves and each other.
with love
Sue
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