My Lockdown Journal - 9 July 2020

𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗯𝘂𝗹𝗹𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 has risen during the lockdown period. It is a time during which managers should be sensitive and compassionate towards employees. It is not a time to show who is in control. It is also not a time to manage employees, but rather manage the work, product, or service. Why? Because we are all in the same pandemic panic. Managers must establish loyalty and trust if they want to handle the situation properly. They must prove to their supervisors and teams that they truly care about their well-being. It does not cost money to just listen to their concerns and be supportive during this difficult time.

𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗺𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁-𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀. Now is not the time to treat employees badly, humiliate them because of a manager's own insecurities or whatever personal issues he/she might have. This can have a severe impact on job performance in times of crisis, compromising quality, and productivity. Workplace bullying can be a gradual build-up of little incidents and misunderstandings that can wear employees down.

It might sound easy to give employees instructions or tasks, but who delivers the message does not matter more than the way it is delivered. Just the tone of a manager's voice can create unnecessary hostility and tension. Trust can be built in many ways. One way is for managers to demonstrate thought-leadership and compassion now, and positive results will follow. It is the best way to 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗯𝘂𝘆-𝗶𝗻 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗳𝗳.

During the lockdown, leaders are expected to take control, be a resource, and provide support by communicating with a positive attitude. Don't be downright rude and arrogant.