What are the top lessons executives and business leaders should take from this unprecedented era of the Coronavirus? Here are the ten leadership lessons from COVID-19:
- Resilience
- The Importance of a Digital Footprint
- Crisis brings opportunities
- Be Agile
- You Can Grow in the Harshest Conditions
- Prioritize Employee Safety
- Trust Your Gut
- People Are Your Greatest Asset
- Hard Things Lead To Good Things
- Show Compassion + Empathy
Resilience
The top lesson I have taken as a business owner from COVID-19 is the power of resilience and the importance of keeping company goals top of mind through hard times. As someone in the residential interior design industry, we were hit hard by the recession of 2008. My company almost went under, but we persevered through those hard times. I couldn’t help but think that COVID-19 was going to put me out of business, but my team swiftly switched to remote work and utilized Zoom for design meetings with clients and never slowed down efforts. With people now spending so much time at home, we started getting more and more calls for design work and ended up having one of the best years in company history. It showed me that what we do as a company is so important and made me so proud of my team for making haste changes and never losing sight of our company goals.
— Alisha Taylor, Alisha Taylor Interiors
The Importance of a Digital Footprint
The biggest lesson learned is the importance of a digital footprint. There are still some business leaders and executives that were so set in the traditional ways of doing business that they did not see a need for having a website, selling products and services online, or engaging in digital marketing. Through the era of COVID-19, no one can now deny the importance of online visibility and making products and services easily available to consumers. Hopefully, it has changed businesses for the better!
— Peter Babichenko, Sahara Case
Crisis Brings Opportunities
As tourism started tanking at the start of the pandemic, we saw cancellations occur at an unprecedented level. Very quickly, our RV rental business had to pivot and find business fighting COVID-19. How did we fight COVID-19? By offering a safe option for travel, transportation, or temporary shelter. The end result is the leadership learning lesson that there is an opportunity within every crisis. Sure, it’s tough to recognize the opportunity when you’re going through a crisis. But in the end, if you search and fight hard enough, an opportunity can create itself.
— Randall Smalley, Cruise America
Be Agile
The top lesson business leaders should take away from Covid-19 is the importance of being an agile organization. Agile businesses are able to react quicker and more effectively to market changes, and their employees are more empowered to make executive decisions when needed. There are many ways you can make your business more agile from implementing new technology to reimagining processes – the possibilities are endless!
— Brad Sacks, More Than Gourmet
You Can Grow in the Harshest Conditions
Back in March, when the government was requiring all spas and salons to close, I was worried about how my eyelash extension business would be affected. Since then we’ve rebounded, come out with amazing new products, and saw a growth in our online revenue! It took a lot of hard work from myself and my employees, but we managed to thrive considering all the setbacks caused by Covid-19.
— Vanessa Molica, The Lash Professional
Prioritize Employee Safety
COVID-19 has taught employers and business leaders to prioritize the personal safety of employees. We’ve seen countless organizations take necessary precautions like redesigning their restrooms with touch-free appliances like automatic flushers and faucets. Leaders should now and always put the health and well-being of workers first.
— Elliot Greenberg, Touchfree Concepts
Trust Your Gut
As a historic hotel located in the North Georgia Mountains, we knew that travel restrictions were going to affect our business heavily. After our mandated shut down, we had to find a way to reopen that would keep our guests safe and most importantly healthy! We trusted our gut and put several safety precautions in place and even started offering micro/social distanced weddings to our brides whose plans were turned upside down. We trusted our gut, and it resulted in us making a comeback that I am very proud of.
— Gwen North, Lake Rabun Hotel
People Are Your Greatest Asset
When Covid-19 first hit, no one knew what to expect. Overnight, we had to shift our business and find new, innovative ways to market our software and connect with potential customers. If it wasn’t for the hard work and dedication of each of our employees, I can’t say that we would have been successful this year. Although technology and tools certainly helped us with the transition, it is the people behind the technology that truly made all the difference.
— Megan Chiamos, 365Cannabis
Hard Things Lead To Good Things
You do the hard things, and then good things start happening. COVID-19 put leaders in tough positions. A lot of leaders likely lost friends in making hard personnel decisions. But, I’m sure a lot of leaders also realized that you somehow survive and things bounce back quicker than expected.
— Brett Farmiloe, Markitors
Show Compassion + Empathy
Covid-19 has affected everyone differently this year. From employment challenges to family stressors, 2020 has certainly been a tough year! If we’ve learned anything, it is the importance of compassion and empathy in the workplace. By practicing compassion for our employees, clients, and partners, we’ve been able to create a culture of inclusivity and one where people feel safe and supported. Too often, we take these things for granted, but they are crucial aspects of running a successful business.
— Noah Downs, American Pipeline Solutions
