With the Covid pandemic in place since mid-March here on the East Coast of the US I know that I was living in a day by day mode. I was looking at things in a very short term way and not focusing on the future because it was too hard. Being in the present, while scary and very different than how I used to live, was a survival mechanism. Now, however, even though the Shelter in Place has gotten extended here in Washington DC until June 8 I am planning for the future.

As leaders while we have to look at the short term tactical to get things done, we also have to be planning for the future, shaping the vision, and bringing people along with you. Innovation and creativity may be sprouting right now as planning for the future is requiring new ways of operating. Some of the current ways of operating such as working from home sometimes may become a part of the future, getting comfortable with more and more use of technology will continue, as perhaps might the strengthened relationships coming out of this time together. 

But what will be needed for the future? How can you get innovative now on who your new customer base may be, what their needs may become, and what will be important to them? While none of have all of the answers many of us are now attempting to get educated on the new possible ways to look at the world. Stay intellectually curious. Get out (virtually) and talk to different people in your network to get different perspectives. Listen to Ted Talks and read the news (in moderation so don't get too down) but find ways to open up your curiosity muscle, get new perspectives, new inputs, and talk to different people. By doing so you can begin to see new patterns, new thought processes, as well as new data emerging. That can lead to the next innovation, the next brilliant idea, or the next collaboration. 

How can you broaden your scope? What new things can you learn about today? What can you get curious about which can help you think through what to do, be, or create in the future?

With the end in sight for many of us of Shelter in Place and a return to moving again in the world, although in a very limited way, it feels like life is moving forward again. With leaders right now they are working towards what a new normal will look like, planning for the transition, but also still working through this neutral zone. 

What are you hoping to return to? What does the new normal look like for you? I know for me as a leadership coach and trainer in-person training had come to a standstill. All were cancelled from the middle of March through at least the end of May with many postponing or cancelling all together. Coaching work was sustainable because most of it was virtual anyways, but in the meantime we got re-tooled onto virtual platforms and I finally conducted a three day virtual training class last week. And now clients are tiptoeing back asking for virtual delivery of training.

While this neutral zone caused a lot of fear and anxiety, planning for the future was beneficial. Getting retrained and retooled was helpful and being ready when clients returned was also essential. What can you be doing right now to prepare for the return to movement? What do you need to put into place to remain healthy while going back in some ways to bits of your life pre-Covid? 

Planning is going to be essential so that when things do start moving you are ready to move forward. What actions do you need to begin to take today?

Thriving? I know that sounds immature or naive or lacking in deep understanding of the world right now during Covid-19, but in truth even during a pandemic we can thrive.  Emotionally, spiritually, physically we can thrive, but now also trusting that even the current situation can ultimately be good for our growth and development.

While we are suffering perhaps in not being in physical proximity to those who we love, having health issues or fearful of our financial future, there are many wonderful things coming out of this pandemic, which we may never have paid attention to otherwise. 

1. Re-prioritizing what is truly important - family time. Time spent speaking to and being creative in how we keep in touch with family and friends is critical. Whether you are at home with your family and enjoying cooking, playing games, cleaning the house or getting creative together or you are creatively finding ways to keep in touch with family and friends use this time to go deeper in your relationships. Spend time really getting to know what is in the hearts and minds of your children or spouse, dig deeper in yourself and find creative projects to do with one another, but mostly show each other how much you love each other. Relationships are primary and in this time of forced togetherness use it wisely.
2. Spiritual growth - I have been spending a lot more time being mindful these days. Whether it is meditating myself, creating mindfulness practices for others, or leading mindfulness programming this is a time to go deeper in our internal world and bring some peace to ourselves. If you have a practice, go back into it and become disciplined about making it an integral part of your day. If you are new to it, find an app or an online group to guide you through it like Mindful Leader and begin to learn how to bring this practice into your life. There are so many benefits like stress reduction, increased productivity, enhanced well-being which are all needed right now.
3. Creativity - While we are all at home I know my creativity is itching to come out. I used to Ballroom Dance pre-Covid and I don't know when I will be able to get back to that, but now I am leaning into writing, painting, gardening, and cooking. All of these things are helping me to unlearn my need for control and allowing me to see the deep wisdom in the windy path. For sometimes the windy path can get you to where you needed to go much more confidently than if you charged ahead in one particular way. This can be the case in your leadership journey as well. Brainstorm new possibilities, let the creative juices fly. For how we get out of this Covid situation health wise and business wise will require a lot of creativity.
4. Financial responsibility - while some of you are in stable jobs even during this crisis, others are being deeply impacted by the financial crisis of this. Learn to tighten up your belts. What things can you eliminate from your budget. What areas do you need to tighten? Where do you need to spend to invest in your future or growth right now? Where can you get help if you need it? Listen to financial experts and learn what you need to do right now to make your financial future thrive.

There are ways to come out of this situation better off than you left it. I know there is a lot of destruction, pain, health suffering, and financial concerns, but focus on what you can control. Get creative about how you do and invest this time wisely in developing yourself, your families, and strengthening your relationships.

As we have entered the sixth week of working and being at home during Covid-19 I have heard many people realizing that they do not have as much control on life, events, and/or situations that they thought they did. Leadership is often the same way. We can have the best laid vision, strategy, and plan, but sometimes outside forces take over like this pandemic did our lives.

So what can we learn from this situation? 

• Plan, but be prepared to flex - flexibility, adaptability, and openness to change is critical for any leader to embrace. While we can think through a strategy, put in place a plan, and even risk mitigation strategies, some situations we may never anticipate. Have the ability to adapt, react quickly, and not stay too stuck in the past when change occurs. 
• Get the best minds in your organizations together - Continually ask yourselves questions like what have we not anticipated and how can we deal with it? Working together with your teams you can often figure out things together that you may not have thought about on your own and you let go of the control as a leader and open it up to a brain trust which is broader and wider than you had just on your own.
• Anticipate risks - while we may not have been able to anticipate this pandemic, other situations you may be able to do so. Think through risks and how to mitigate them. And then also know that you may face things that you never anticipated and will need to adjust.
• Remain in the present - the more you stay in the present moment, the more you can make good decisions and react to the changes going on around you. If you are stuck in regret of the past (like how come we didn't anticipate this) or worried about the future (such as losing out on finances) then you are not being creative in the present moment. Take a walk, meditate, do something which gets your mind very focused in the now and your mind can come up with rational and logical answers.

What are you learning about letting go of control during these times?

During a time of change, especially like the Covid-19 Pandemic, people will go through the five stages of grief. Based off of Elizabeth Kubler-Ross' work, the five stages of grief also relate to any change process that we go through. The five stages are:

1. Denial - this is a state of shock and a way to pace facing the grief. It is nature's way of only letting in as much as we can handle.
2. Anger - here we may lash out at others for the pain we are facing. The more you feel it the more it will dissipate and you will heal.
3. Bargaining - in this stage you feel the guilt and ask questions such as, "What if," or "If only." We want our life restored to the way it was.
4. Depression - here we are firmly in the present and feeling the pain of the loss. This is an appropriate feeling for a loss or a change and we don't know how long it will last.
5. Acceptance - here we finally accept that we are not going back and that this is the new normal.

The stages of grief are not always linear and one can move through the stages and then fall back or skip a stage. Also people may move through the stages at different paces. I know that I have now, after 4 weeks, moved through the denial stage, and had feelings of anger, bargaining and depression for sure. I am currently still probably in the bargaining phase. Where are you? Know that these phases are natural. Know that as this is a curve with our productivity dipping the most at the bargaining stage and then going back up after that. So if you are not being as productive as you usually were that is normal as well. What stage are you currently in? How can you honor the stage you are in right now?

Leadership is critical during crisis moments. People look up to their leaders and watch to see how they are going to guide things during tough times as well as to model the behavior of how they should be "being" during in a crisis situation. As leaders we may not have all of the right answers nor always feel emotionally stable during a pandemic either. At these times we might need some support in being able to manage and process our own emotional state and/or some tools to be able to manage most effectively right now and leadership coaching or training can be helpful during these times.

In virtual training sessions and/or coaching a leader can gain some skills or support on the following topics: managing through change, leading a virtual team, remaining resilient during crisis times, learning mindfulness practices to manage stress, and building emotional intelligence skills to manage your own emotional state and interact with others in the best way possible. If you are looking for support please reach out to monica@monicathakrar.com. 

As we all get adjusted to a protracted season of working from home, leading virtually, and staying healthy, leadership really matters. During these times of crisis what you do right now makes a difference. Your teams, your organizations, and your families will remember how you acted during these times and they will think about it for a long time to come. 

So how can you be the leader you want to be? Here are some tips to get you started:

• Self-care - it's the old adage that you need to put your own oxygen mask on first before. Practice resilience, mindfulness, or taking some time out to feel your own feelings before helping and building others up.
• Focus on the vision - what is it that you are trying to accomplish in the short term (next 4-8 weeks) and then in the long term. Create a common vision so that your whole team is aligned around the same short and long term goals.
• Communicate frequently both for work and as check-ins - everyone wants to feel connected in a time of social distancing. Have daily or every other day check-ins with your team to determine how they are doing personally and professionally. Have one on one check ins weekly so that people can share what is on their mind. The more connection you foster the more that people will feel that you care.
• Allow for some ups and downs in productivity - as everyone is going through the ups and downs of the emotions of the times, having families at home to manager, and/or facing health issues themselves leaders have to be cognizant of the need for some empathy. Allowance for some down time, some leeway in the normal work hours, and/or the productivity levels is going to be important at this time. Show empathy and care at this time for people need that right now.
• Show your own humanity - as leaders we are going through the same feelings as everyone else. Show your own feelings and be vulnerable. Allow people to know that you don't have all of the right answers all of the time either. Together you can all get through this.

During these Covid times really show your authenticity, your vulnerability, but also step up as a leader. What you do now could be the legacy that you leave later down the line.

As the those of us in the US adjust to our first week or so social distancing and staying from home some new ways of operating are emerging. As we slow down and don't run around so much, I see that people are connecting more, finding creative ways to do that and emerging a little bit more vulnerable. As we share in this collective panic we see that we are all human, all want to love and be loved, all want to contribute to others/to the world, and all need to be with others, but in this day and age prior to COVID we might have forgotten that in the rush to succeed, to prosper, to achieve, especially in the US. I see some ways that things have changed already and am wondering if you think these things will remain when this is all through:

• The desire to connect - While I have been working from home/being at home for 7 days I have heard from old friends I haven't talked to in a long time and because we are all now at home we are really connecting when we speak on the phone. I am speaking/FaceTiming with my parents and brother/niece/nephews daily. I am having virtual happy hours/movie nights with friends and feeling so touched by the depth of sharing, love, and support we are showing each other during these anxiety producing times.
• The need for nature and physical activity - when I take my daily walks or runs I am seeing so many people out. We all need a sense of relief from being inside all day either alone or with our immediate families and at the same time nature has been such a healing balm. The wonderful cherry blossoms here in the DC area, tulips and daffodils sprouting, the quiet creeks in Rock Creek Park so still and serene. All of this reminds us beauty is still all around, nature is bountiful, and we will get through this. 
• Finding calmness and creativity - More and more people are looking for ways to calm themselves down. While my spiritual community has been amazing in ramping up ways for all of us to meditate, breath, and do yoga together, I am finding people/friends/clients who have never opened up to this before looking for ways to be mindful, meditate, and commune. They are also finding ways to be creative - drawing with their children, dancing with their partners, teaching each other yoga (I am doing virtual lessons with my niece and nephews!) and both calm and creativity are wonderful things to cultivate during these times.
• Finding ways to give back - call and check in on elderly people or those who may live alone. Find ways to donate to local causes (I started a fundraiser for a local charity Martha's Table as they help those in need in the DC area). Look for ways to use your skills to provide relief to others (even the celebrities are doing free concerts/dance classes) by using their talents. We all have them. Find ways to support others during this time.

While this time can be very hard and my heart goes out to so many people in need there are some very important things resulting from this time of COVID which could provide some good changes for when life goes back to normal. Find the silver lining in what we are going through. When we can rush around anymore find ways to go inwards, love the people in your families, friend circles, and your communities, and find ways to give back. All of these steps will get us through the current crisis and help us in the future when things get back to a new normal.

During these tumultuous times in the United States and around the world, social distancing is becoming the new way of operating. To stay safe and not contract and/or spread the coronavirus more and more people are working from home. As a result people can feel socially disconnected and/or start feeling down. How can we keep engaged and keep our spirits up during these times?

• Use technology - while I normally say that we are losing the art of connection due to technology, technology is a tool which can serve us during these times. Leverage the tools that we have in place - zoom, Skype, FaceTime, WhatsApp, other video technology to visually connect with colleagues, friends, and family. Set up a video meetings during work instead of just conference calls. Organize virtual happy hours with friends and family to connect on the weekends and evenings instead of just with your family or alone. Be proactive in connecting with others.
• Set up times of the day to take care of yourself - whether it is first thing in the morning workouts, lunch time meditation sessions, walks in the park with friends/family/pets, calls or video checks in with colleagues. Have a set routine for self-care and sticking to it can provide a structure and routine to keep you mentally and physically strong to handle the stress and anxiety during these times.
• Learn something new - read a book, take an online class, learn a new language on Duolingo, watch a Ted Talk. There are so many ways to keep your mind occupied in so many different mediums. While in person learning may have been put on hold there are lots of ways to keep learning. Start digging into the piles of magazines that you have or use your Amazon Prime membership to get free books. Keep learning and you will come out of this more revived.
• Be mindful - mindfulness practices, meditation, or yoga can be wonderful tools to connect more with yourself during these stressful times and remain centered. There are many online resources now to help you through guided meditations like artofliving.org or many yoga studios are now offering their classes virtually. Be proactive and find ways to keep your body and mind healthy.
• Find ways to give back - while you may be in a hard position there are many others who are suffering worse - hourly workers, those with the virus, senior citizens, etc. Find ways to give back. Check in on your elderly family members by phone or video call, donate money to your local organizations who are providing food and resources to the less fortunate, send words of encouragement and/or humorous videos to friends and family to keep their spirits up. This is the time to lean into helping others. 

While social distancing is different for so many of us, it is a way to slow down, keep connected with people in a different way, and truly come out on the other side a stronger and more resilient person.

As new things finally come into view deepening your happiness level, your energy levels, and your vision become just as important as allowing the change to occur. For when change happens resistance and/or hesitation could come up for healthy change (even good changes) will bring up feelings of loss and/or grief. Elizabeth Kubler-Ross' 5 stages of grief often come up in a change process as you feel a loss of the old - old ways of being, acting, doing in the world or in your organization and this can be hard. But with change there also comes possibilities, opportunities, wisdom, and evolution. 

Put in the effort to keep grounding yourself during these times of change. Ask for support from those close to you. Invest time in self-care such as physical exercise, meditation, walks in nature, music, etc to keep yourself grounded. Let yourself feel the resistance and ask any questions or get clarification that you need. As you let yourself feel the feelings and surround yourself with support you can move through the change that you have been seeking for some time and truly flow into the next phase of things.

​How can you ground yourself at these times?