Originally published by Personna on 17 June, 2020
Written by Roger Grant

If you’re trying to get a grip on the new reality, know that you’re not alone.

If you’re hunkered down, trust that you’ve got what it takes to get through this. If you’ve had to make some really hard decisions, take solace that you chose to act. Because the right decision is usually the hardest. And that takes courage.

We are no strangers to change. Most of the time, we grit our teeth, put on a brave face and get on with it. But we’re living in extraordinary times. Things are changing. At unprecedented scale. Every single day.

LEADERSHIP IS AN INSIDE JOB

The strongest teams are forged in the crucible of conflict and crisis. Teams bond when they struggle together. Knee-deep in the fight, something new emerges. You get back to purpose. You strengthen the bonds of trust & collaboration that help remove anxiety.

In a time that is grim, leaders think they need to be “be positive” and roll out the 5-point-emergency-response-strategy. On the contrary, if leaders speak the truth authentically, people are more likely to trust and follow their lead.

Minister Lawrence Wong communicated the truth authentically, beyond mere words. Acknowledge the fears & uncertainty. Tell people that it's alright to feel pain. Not because they're weak. But because they're strong. It takes courage to show up every day. And as their leader, you are there for them. You share their pain.

When you deny the reality, a horror vacui* emerges in a dense cloud of water-cooler gossip. Bad vibes.

In physics, "horror vacui" reflects Aristotle's idea that "nature abhors an empty space."

PERSONNA, a Partner of Thrive HR Exchange, is a leadership development company focused on the people side of transformation. We hold a simple belief that everyone is an extraordinary and powerful force for positive change, and our solutions should be as unique and agile as you and your business challenges.  We provide leadership branding, leadership coaching and group experiences.