Written by: Jennifer Sharp, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
As a business owner, the last expectation I had was one of dealing with a global pandemic. I had to quickly adapt to changes for my business to survive and continually succeed. I had to learn to navigate new challenges with an open mindset and added enthusiasm. I had to remain optimistic regardless of what was happening around me but also not allowing this optimism blind reality.
I often questioned, “who am I to lead? Can we get through this pandemic relatively unscathed? Will I remain focused on my passion?” along with so many others. I continually have to have faith in myself. I learned and relearned all I knew. Growing stronger internally, passionately, purposefully as a leader, as a small-business owner, along the way.
Here are 6 tips in leadership that I’ve been able to take from this pandemic.
1. Embrace Change Head-On
Have you ever felt like that bull having the red flag waved at you? The pandemic has done this many times over to me. I have had to make decisions I would not previously have considered. Tough love has been required. And I’ve had to do it all wholeheartedly. People were relying on me. As I relearned all I knew, my passion grew stronger, as my faith in myself as a leader did. By tackling change head-on, instead of allowing the pandemic to create fear within, I secretly began to enjoy the challenges. A newfound excitement was bubbling inside me.
2. Be Fearless
I have a love-hate relationship with the word pivot. But It’s something I had to do and continue to do. As an introverted leader, who much prefers to work behind the scenes, I had to put myself out there. I had to face the camera. I knew if I was going to not only survive but thrive in business during the pandemic and beyond, I had to become visible in every way. And this was the silver lining for me. I had to transform, internally and externally. I had to pivot, fearlessly.
3. Harness the Wisdom of Your Cheer Squad
Collaboration is everything. I quickly learned in the early days of being in business, that I can’t do everything myself, and learning to ask for help is okay. I know now its okay to source out other people’s wisdom, and to share those gold nuggets often found in zoom conversations which foster mutual respect and appreciation. This revelation has strengthened us as a team. I don’t have all the answers and I don’t need too!
4. Create New Paths
Know when it's time for a new plan. I took my business online creating new courses that have become essential in many ways. This was new territory for me but also a part of this newfound fearlessness and tackling change like that bull that I knew I had to do. Initially, this change was only going to be temporary as we wade our way through the pandemic. Now, its here to stay. I had to be optimistic, show faith in myself and my team. And it worked. For me. For us. For our clients.
5. Be Boiling Water
Have you ever noticed that boiling water makes hard potatoes soft and soft eggs hard? We need to keep boiling the water. As leaders, we need to rise as boiling water does, rise and fall. Bubble to the surface and rise again. We need to show tough love, and we need to be able to show empathy. We need to be authentically us by being strong and showing our vulnerabilities. We need to reach out and share those nuggets. As Jacinda Ardern has previously stated, “I refuse to believe that you cannot be both compassionate and strong.”
6. Stay Calm in the Face of Storms.
Keep a calm mind. Deliberately. Consciously. Instead of seeing Covid as a threat that keeps the storm brewing, see it as an opportunity for innovation and possibilities. Staying calm with a positive mindset is a part of our self-care as leaders. We can’t change what is, but with intention and purpose, we can look to the future with hope.
By fearlessly embracing change head-on, by leaning in with your cheer squad to find and create gold nuggets, to shift and continually boil water, we are all making changes, facing the storms calmly and rising together. It doesn’t matter why, or even what we do, it’s how we are adapting, evolving, continually pivoting, that allows for our survival.
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Jennifer Sharp, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Jennifer Sharp is a leader in the publishing industry, having founded an award-winning publishing press. She has assisted many with telling their success stories globally, whether it be in business or life. She has created coaching and mentoring programs that develop the writer's confidence in themselves and strategies that help them stay confident within themselves in all areas of their lives authentically. She is the founder of Daisy Lane Publishing and Mindset Magic - Confidence Coaching. Jennifer is on a mission to support as many as she can with living their life fully with positive intentions and to assist them with publishing their story along the way. Jennifer is also passionate about children's picture books and poetry, bringing to life stories that deal with trauma, displacement, homelessness, separation, domestic violence, and language learning.
