Pegasus Reporters Issues on the Wing
As I watch with trepidation the unfolding drama over the sudden cancellation of our general election on 16th February 2019 few hours to its commencement, I am constantly reminded of the political turmoil, inconvenience, stress and cost to the impoverished masses most of whom had to travel long distance across state lines to make sure they cast there votes as good citizens of our dear country Nigeria.
All that comes from uncertainty and the damage cause on morale and productivity by our electoral body – independent national electoral commission INEC.It’s the leaders role to look to bring order to chaos, calm the nerves of those around them, give people hope of successful outcome that the general elections is still on course and get everyone whose responsibility it was to get things working again.Here are seven tips to help bring order in the midst of chaos and uncertainty by leaders at the helms of our electoral affairs in our nation.
1 Communicate, Communicate, Communicate.
Don’t bullshit people; they can spot bullshit a mile away, and it undermines your credibility. Tell people what you know? In uncertain times people need information, without information, it just increases anxiety and stress, neither of which is of benefit to the people who will rely on the information to plan there next move or even the leader? Tell them what you don’t know.?Be honest, if you don’t know something tell them, otherwise people will think you are withholding information and read meanings to your action or worse still they may hold back something they know, which you don’t? Tell them when you will know.?For those things that you don’t know, provide a timeline for when you think you will know. Knowing when the uncertainty will end can reduce the level of uncertainty and the associated
stresses by the people?
2 Explain Your Plan
As a leader, it is expected that you will come up with a plan. Tell people what your plan is, explain why you are making the decisions you are making. If they are logical, you will get buy-in, if not you will get questions. Transparency breeds trust and in uncertain times, trust is a great commodity to have.
3 Ask For Input
As leaders, we are not expected to have all the answers or all the ideas, but we are expected to identify the best plan, based on all of the information available. Without asking for input, we can potentially miss out on vital information, or even a potentially better or simpler solution. Asking for input will give people the opportunity to be involved which can reduce the leaders sense of powerlessness which can come with uncertainty.
4 Be Flexible and Adaptive
In uncertain times it’s possible that new information will arrive that will challenge our plan, or present a better solution. We need to keep an open mind, and not just stick to the first plan as way of increasing certainty.We need to be flexible and be able to adopt better solutions as they arise. Our goal should be to keep moving forward and at the best pace possible, not just sticking to the plan.
5 Be Positive
Confidence in the leader is crucial during times of uncertainty. Leadership is teamwork, our teams may not know what the solution is, but they need to be certain that they have someone who will both define the way forward and achieve it. As leaders we need to project confidence, to help build that trust. This brings to mind the words of Author Robert Louis Stephenson: “Keep your fears to yourself but share your courage with others.” I think this is great advice to leaders in times of uncertainty and chaos.
6 Create Small Wins
Identify small wins that the team can achieve quickly and easily. These quick wins need to be meaningful and celebrated, as that will help to boost confidence, increase morale and create momentum.
7 Be Visible and Stay Engaged
In times of uncertainty, the leader is the rock to which people cling, it gives them hope and confidence, but this can be diminished very quickly if the leader is absent for lengthy periods, doubts and uncertainty will increase. We need to be visible, positive and engaged, to keep morale and motivation moving in the right direction.
Leading in times of uncertainty can be difficult, but we need to remember it can be even more difficult for our teams, and they are looking to us for guidance leadership in order to succeed.
I’d be interested to know what approaches you take to lead in uncertain times and would love it if you could leave your answer as a comment.
Author: Raymond Aisabor is the Director General at Centre For Integrity In Leadership Advocacy Of Nigeria CILAN and can be reached at Email: Rayaisabor@gmail.com
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