“Encourage, lift and strengthen one another. For the positive energy spread to one will be felt by us all. For we are connected, one and all.” ~ Deborah Day

Why

The lovely sweetness to come out of this moment’s uncertainty is awareness.  Awareness beyond our own circumstances. Because the world has slowed down and is quieter and your personal life, if you are reading this, has also become more contained, you may be experiencing a great gift – time and space for reflection.  If you are reading this, you are a leader.  During times like this, you are called to step into your role of supporting.

Last week’s blog post,” Build Me Up, Buttercup” spoke about “building people up” by offering knowledge and support. It was the latest post inspired by the leadership of Berry Gordy. Instead of finishing the last in the Gordy leadership series -visionary, it feels better to continue a discussion about supporting. How can you be more supportive right now?  Provide good?

If you can do some deep slow breathing during those quiet moments of reflection, I invite you to think – how can I support my circle of people?  How can I make a difference?   And how can I do it that will also have the lingering benefit of warmth within my being?

How

For family and friends, why not send love and understanding through any way you can:  emails, texts, calls.  Who haven’t you been in touch with who you hold in your heart as near and dear?  Reach out. Searching for a reminder, peruse the contacts on your phone.

Your direct reports and colleagues you work with in your organization and outside, let them know you are thinking about them individually, personally with soul felt words. How can you assist?  Listening, brainstorming, asking, pulling resources, developing new projects and making introductions.  Whether you use slack or another inter-office communication, face-time, video-chat services, or phone, they all serve your purpose.

While client projects may be put on hold, or are slowing, because of outside pressures, your clients are full-blooded people going through very human issues, like you. Give them a window to who you are as a person. You may not have their phone number or want to impose on the phone, instead allow for an email to let them know you are there for them.

You may question what would be the effect of these actions. All of this giving?  Consider how you feel when someone reaches out to see how you are doing; affirming you have value as a loved one, friend or colleague. Doesn’t it make you feel special? To this person they thought enough to tell you – I’m thinking of you. Now, imagine you doing that for someone – lighting up their phone or email with a message of caring. Doesn’t the act of giving feel warm in your insides?  And, this give and take makes for greater deeper connection in your relationships for the longer term.  Now –  is certainly the right time for that.

Have you considered working on your leadership skills? And bringing more organization, balance and equity to your life and within your team?  Or perhaps a direct report(s) needs finer tuning to be truly terrific but you don’t have the bandwidth or mindset to offer it? If you’d like to create a training and development plan for you or your direct report that offers increased productivity, more satisfied team members and increased retention, let’s talk. Contact me at Susan@SusanGoldbergLeadership.com