Leadership Skills Put Under Test During Corona Virus Outbreak

During these challenging and confusing times true leadership is put under test. The difference between a manager and a leader is more pronounced now than in good times.

Now as many employee are working or starting to work from home it is important to pay attention to delegation. As we have observed many times in companies where www.bellevue-advisors.ch is or has been engaged as an advisor #trust is missing. However, more importantly the communication of goals (whether for the whole company or for an individual project or task) is more than unclear. In most cases it is confusing and not well aligned with overall goals.

Delegation is not about commanding. Effective delegation is about constantly making sure that everyone involved—both as individuals and as a team—understands what is needed and knows the clearly stated goals of the project.

Delegation done haphazardly, which is more often the case, it leads to pointless meetings, wheelspinning, and volumes of unread reports.

Delegation done properly, the art of delegation not only gets things done efficiently, but it gives those to whom the tasks are assigned a sense of empowerment—of knowing they are part of the process and are real and important contributors.

Corporate managers usually do not grasp the fact that an employee who has the drive will find the help he needs on his own—when he needs it. Until then, these “drivers” should be left alone. A strong and inspiring leader will tear down all obstacles in front of this highly motivated employee. He will give them a long leash, then leave them alone.

By delegating, the leader should never limit the scope of work too narrowly or give too many instructions. Leave it to the employee to figure out how to reach the goal! State your goal, then let the employee figure out how to get there. This is stimulating and empowering, which means the employee has the freedom to find the solution and figure out how to get there.

Once you have delegated, leave the person alone until he asks for advice. Do not get nosy and curious and peek into his work of execution frequently. Hold your horses and keep calm.

Celebrate when good stuff is produced, and if the results are not so good, see what you can do to improve the success factors in executing similar challenges in the future.

The best delegation is short but informative, unambiguous and timely, not too early, not too late; and all relevant persons who should know about the task at hand should be informed. The precondition for efficient and result oriented home office work is excellent delegation.

I wish best of luck and good health to all companies, SMEs and self-employed persons in the world during these challenging times. Keep up the good sprit, trust your employees and delegate excellently.