Leading During Times of Crisis
As the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic unfold, leaders are encountering a broad array of challenges. Below, we offer six core principles with supporting resources to help leaders bring their values with them as they venture through the crisis:
Be humble.
→ Crises are full of uncertainty. Resist the temptation to have all the answers. It's not what is best for you, your followers, or your organization.
For more:
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To make better decisions, get comfortable saying "I don't know." - On the surprising power of intellectual humility [Article]
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Humility about your own ethics can inspire your followers to act ethically. - New research shows how leaders can signal moral humility and, in turn, positively influence their followers.
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Why Leaders Should Embrace Emotional Complexity - Here’s why a “good vibes only” approach won’t help you navigate times of change.
Stay creative.
→ Crises can lead us to present ethical decisions as a false choice—for example, as a choice between the economy on one hand or human life on the other. But ethical leaders can bring moral insight to their organizations in order to uphold more than one value or concern at the same time.
For more:
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How "Could" Triggers Moral Insight - Asking "What could I do?" can shift you toward more creative, insightful solutions for your toughest ethical dilemmas. [Article]
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Is ethical leadership an art? - Leaders who want to do the right thing can find help from an unlikely source: the imagination.
Seek out new opportunities for ethical leadership.
→ Be on the lookout for ways to live out your values you have never noticed before.
For more:
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How to Prioritize Ethical Leadership Amid the Pandemic - Three insights that approach crises as opportunities for ethical leadership, not opportunism.
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Is there an ethical upside to remote work? - Leading a remote team presents major challenges. But leaders who use the opportunity to encourage employees to be more authentic could reap surprising ethical benefits.
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During dark times, gratitude matters more than ever. - In the midst of a crisis, gratitude can help you access the resources and support you need.
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Three Strategies for Ethical Influence - Studies of hand washing hold powerful lessons about what it takes to motivate others to act ethically.
While under pressure, don't lose sight of your principles.
→ Stress and anxiety are inevitable in times that are full of threats and uncertainties. But by understanding and anticipating them, we can arm ourselves against their worst effects.
For more:
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Feeling Moral Stress? Here's How to Foster Resilience. - Focus on realism, social connection, and self-compassion to keep moral stress at bay. [Article]
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A simple switch that boosts ethical behavior: focus on gains rather than losses. - We're wired to avoid losses. You can promote ethical behavior by removing your "loss-frames" and using "gain-frames" instead. [Article]
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Doing the right thing takes time. What if you don't have it? - Each day you face pressure to make high-quality, high-velocity decisions. Here's how to make sure your ethics are able to keep up. [Article]
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Doing the Right Thing When Dollars Are on the Line - Jim Sinegal talks through a decision to do the right thing for his employees despite an economic cost to the company. Sticking to your word, even beyond what might be reasonably expected of you, reveals true character. [Video]
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Four Ways to Stop the Spread (of Misinformation) - Use these research-based strategies to ensure that truth prevails in your organization.
Zoom out.
→ Panic can lead to myopia if we don't step back and look beyond the moment of crisis.
For more:
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Build Integrity by Imagining Your Future Self - Your ability to see a vivid picture of your future self can help you make the right decision under pressure. [Article]
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To think ethically, stay focused on the future. - We make better decisions about the future than about the present. Why not “lock in” your future decisions now? [Article]
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Want to be a compassionate leader? Start with self-compassion. - Being kind to yourself empowers you to grow and give.
Stay inspired.
→ Whether you do it through nature, positive stories, art, music, or reading, it's crucial to keep in touch with what's most meaningful and most admirable.
For more:
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The Little-known Emotion that Makes Ethical Leadership Contagious - To make their behavior contagious, ethical leaders need to harness the power of "elevation." [Article]
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Four Benefits of Bringing Awe to Work - Experiences of awe can be rare, especially at work. But they come with a wide range of tangible benefits for ethical leadership.