Editor’s note: Serial entrepreneur and investor Donald Thompson joins WRAL TechWire today as a regular contributor. His columns will appear on Wednesdays.

RALEIGH – We are living in strange times. The coronavirus pandemic has ushered in an era of unprecedented uncertainty. None of us has ever experienced such collective anxiety, so we don’t know how to cope. Every leader, employee, investor, and stakeholder I know feels heavy with the weight of this crisis. We are less energetic, less resilient, and less hopeful than usual. And if you feel heavy, just imagine what your team is feeling. 

Essentially, every person you know is going through something significant, traumatic, and life-altering, all at the same time. Even the strongest amongst us is rattled by this uncertainty. This moment has put undue anxiety on the people that we are charged to lead, the people we are supposed to protect and to provide for. 

As a leader, how do you help your team move forward through this crisis? How do you respect the circumstances of this year while also driving your business to succeed? In other words, ask yourself: what does your business need from you at this moment? Problems do not go away on their own, so frankly, we need a plan. 

Fifteen years ago, we might have believed that old trope from The Godfather that “it’s not personal, it’s business.” In 2020, though, we know better. Business is personal. Business is a human-centered enterprise, and business success relies on the personal success of our teams. To weather this storm, we must prioritize coping strategies and mental health. 

The key is to make a strategic imperative for empathetic and participative leadership. Slow down. Listen. Be flexible. Engage with each of your team members on a personal level. You will not be able to solve the problem, but by making sure they feel seen and appreciated, you can keep things from getting worse. 

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I’ve been thinking a lot about this quote from Ghandi: “Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.” Right now, there is a huge disconnect in what leaders are thinking, doing, and saying publicly. Adding to this pervasive uncertainty is a lack of clarity about whose example we can follow and who we can trust. Your team is looking to you for leadership. Your role is to create an environment that lays the foundation for all employees to thrive. 

Right now, that means encouraging balance. It means helping your people to cultivate harmony when and where they can. Let them know that it’s ok to take a few hours off when they need it. Encourage exercise and rest. Tell them where they can turn when they need help. As a leader, make sure you are clearly broadcasting that it’s ok not to feel ok. It’s ok to be overwhelmed. It’s ok to be sad. It’s ok to need help. 

I strongly suggest compiling a single document to share recommended resources for physical, mental, and social-emotional health. Here are two of my favorites: this article from United Healthcare featuring tips for self-care, and the free section of the Headspace meditation app called Weathering the Storm, which includes meditation, sleep, and movement exercises. 

Ask your HR team to do the legwork in deciphering health insurance policies for mental health services and, if possible, virtual visits. If you don’t offer health insurance, or if your health insurance company doesn’t cover mental health, encourage the use of inexpensive digital resources like Talkspace. Their website offers a network of licensed therapists who lead online counseling via text, app, or video messaging. 

I’m also a big fan of fun interaction. In the absence of water-cooler catch-ups and hallway conversations, set up a virtual happy hour every Friday. Fight the hustle and efficiency of virtual meetings by starting with a lightning round of crazy facts or asking people to name the best thing they ate that week. Create a Slack forum just for moments of gratitude or start a Monday tradition of having coffee together on Zoom. 

Whatever you do, start today. This crisis has already lasted longer than we expected. Your team feels stuck in the uncertainty of the present. If you can help them find moments of balance and joy, they’ll start to see the luster of tomorrow.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

With two decades of experience growing and leading firms, Donald Thompson is a thought leader on goal achievement, influencing company culture and driving exponential growth.  As an entrepreneur, Donald has led companies which have attained successful exits with strong returns for shareholders and employees. As a Certified Diversity Executive, Donald is a champion of Diversity and Inclusion initiatives and actively raises awareness and commitment.

Donald is currently CEO of Walk West, a digital marketing firm recently recognized by Inc. as the fastest growing agency in North Carolina for 2018 and 2019.  In addition,  Donald serves on boards for several organizations in the fields of technology, marketing, sports and entertainment and is a mentor for Google for Entrepreneurs Exchange.

A member of the National Speakers Association, Donald speaks frequently for businesses, organizations and universities and shares actionable insights and strategies across key functions of business strategy, entrepreneurship, leadership development, and diversity and inclusion in the workplace.  Donald has written for multiple publications including Entrepeneur.com and CNBC.com and has published his own eBooks on decision making and diversity. To learn more, To learn more, follow Donald on LinkedIn or visit donaldthompson.com.