Provide Perspective
A fourth element of leadership and communication is providing perspective. Perspective gives people a sense that they are not alone, these circumstances aren’t personal, and this situation isn’t permanent – three tenets that help people embrace resiliency.
Speak the Truth
It’s important to remember that leaders must not only inspire hope, but they also must ground us in reality, enabling teams to make informed and wise decisions. In a time of crisis, leaders need to strike a balance between not sugarcoating their message while remaining upbeat and optimistic
Becoming a trusted advisor with your clients often hinges on your ability to achieve defined business outcomes. Those results are especially important when communicating with General Counsel and Chief Financial Officers.
Message Hope
We only have to tune into the news for a brief minute to experience a breakdown in confidence. There is no shortage of things to remind us that we are living in an exponentially VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous) world right now.
Be Present
In the midst of responding to COVID-19, it can feel challenging to keep client development connections warm. In a desire to avoid burdening already stressed clients, we have heard many lawyers express a desire to pull back from reaching out, wanting to hear that their assistance is necessary or invited before making contact. And, as event after event cancels and clients delay projects, it can seem like the possibilities to stay organically connected to most of our contacts must be put on hold until life and business as usual resumes.
A recent article published by the Greater Good Science Center at the University of California at Berkeley gathers the results of several studies to demonstrate five ways in which giving is actually good for you: It makes you happy, is good for your health, promotes cooperation and social connection, evokes gratitude, and is contagious. While we tend to view generosity as an act of altruism, it turns out the giver actually gains measurable benefits in the process as well.
