Infographic: Leading through COVID-19

Infographic panel 1: The pandemic is a defining leadership moment. Expectations are changing. Many employers are preparing their leaders. 70% are providing additional guidance and training compared with normal levels. 24% have increased development opportunities and 32% are planning or considering doing so.

Infographic panel 2: Leaders are expected to be crisis handlers and facilitators. Behaviors that organizations are expecting of leaders during the crisis. 75% reacting to issues as they arise and decisively dealing with crisis situations. 53% responding to the needs of others. 42% encouraging others to work constructively together to achieve goals. 39% focusing on quality of work while also maintaining high activity levels. 36% using practical skills and factual understanding to develop solutions to issues.

Infographic panel 3: Leaders are expected to be change agents driving new initiatives. Behaviors that organizations are expecting of leaders coming out of the crisis. 45% focus on the quality of work while also maintaining high activity levels. 43% seeking out change and acting to get things done differently. 41% encouraging others to work constructively together to achieve goals. 41% organizing and implementing detailed plans. 36% developing understanding and capability within their teams.

Infographic panel 4: To move beyond the crisis, leaders must demonstrate strategic awareness, promote new initiatives and drive achievements. Comparison of top behaviors expected of leaders. Demonstrating competitiveness with strategic awareness: 12% replied during the crisis, 33% while coming out of the crisis. Promoting new initiatives by offering their insights and putting forward their approach: 8% replied during the crisis, 28% while coming out of the crisis. Driving achievements and challenging the approaches of others: 6% replied during the crisis, 19% while coming out of the crisis.

The following steps can help you lead through COVID-19:

• Assess leader competencies and strengths
• Reimagine and redefine the desired employee experience
• Implement an employee listening strategy using surveys and virtual focus groups to gauge trust in leadership and confidence in the future.