As you attempt to lead your organization and/or team through COVID-19 response, avoid these management pitfalls:
- Taking a narrow view. Pull back to take in the big picture. Consider all the options for actions and the potential implications on outcomes, morale, finances, etc.
- Getting caught up in the “thrill” of management. Anticipate what comes next week, next month, and next year to strategize and prepare. Delegate and trust your people to make tough decisions; provide proper support and guidance.
- Over-controlling. You can’t control everything, so don’t create new layers of approval for minor decisions and directives. This is likely to cause confusion and frustration. Seek order rather than control.
- Forgetting the human factor. Don’t forget to care for your teams. Start with a clear mission that infuses work with purpose. Then monitor to identify those who may need additional support or guidance.