Managing employee morale in times of COVID-19: Tina Garg, Pink Lemonade

To say that COVID-19 has disrupted the way we live, work, and play would be a huge understatement. The reality is that the world has come to a standstill — countries are locked down, social distancing is the new normal, and isolation has almost turned into a buzzword. It’d be safe to assume that the world may never quite be the same again.

However, there’s one thing that remains constant — and that’s business. The economy has taken a huge hit, and leaders are doing all that they can to keep their enterprises running. But in this struggle to keep revenue coming in, we mustn't forget that at the end of the day, it’s our people who do it all, and their wellbeing should be the top priority. Most companies are now working from home, and in this situation, productivity, engagement, and morale are bound to take the biggest hit.

There is now a pressing need to take a fresh look at our talent practices and to understand how employee experience can be improved during — and after — this crisis. While we’re all learning as we go, here are my top three tips.

Communicate consistently and effectively

Every crisis goes through its own lifecycle, and emotional states vary with each. So in the initial stages, business leaders most likely focused on allaying fears by talking about the safety measures being implemented organization-wide. Now, we’re well past that phase, and communication must shift to adjusting to change and uncertainty. How can your team make the most of the situation? How are you making the transition smoother? That’s what people need to hear now. And as we hopefully enter the final stages of this pandemic, focus on the long-term changes this situation made to your policies and any positives that may have come out of these unprecedented circumstances.

Act with empathy

Emotion and care are often seen as counterintuitive to effective leadership, but I beg to disagree. In fact, I believe this is where women leaders have the edge. We are empathetic to the unique struggles of our team members and our words and actions stem from that understanding. So, in my capacity as a leader, I’m making sure to check in on my people and share my learnings with the industry at large. I’m having one-on-one chats with team members and also taking part in virtual events where I can share my experiences and lessons with other business owners. After all, there’s no better time than the present to give back!

Stay positive and engaged

Understandably, fun is the last thing on our minds right now. But it’s essential to maintain a semblance of normalcy, bring the team together, and boost morale. And when doing this, video conferencing software is your best friend! We at Pink Lemonade have made it a point to conduct at least one fun activity a day, no matter how small. In the last couple of weeks, we’ve had almost every possible activity via Zoom call! Team members (and their families!) have conducted sessions on Zumba and Bhangra, while other sessions have centred around things like meditation and stress management. In addition to these instructor-led workshops, we’ve also had interactive games and activities such as Housie and Antakshari, and I’m happy to say, it’s been a great hit with our people.

I must mention here though, that video conferencing isn’t all that we’re relying on to bring some joy into the workday. Even something as simple as WhatsApp has had a role to play! Every week or so, we’ve been asking team members so send in their ‘Life in Focus’ pictures on the company group. It’s been a good way to get a little glimpse into their work-from-home lives — shots of pets, delicious meals, and blossoming gardens — we’ve all gotten to know each other better. Little things like this definitely make it easier for us all to stay positive.

Just remember — while the fear and uncertainty associated with this virus might make you want to act impulsively, breathe and take it one step at a time. Organizations need effective leadership and communication now more than ever, and this is a true test of any leader’s mettle. Be sensitive, reassuring, and confident, and you’ll tide through this crisis sooner than you think.

(Tina Garg is CEO of Bangalore-based creative agency, Pink Lemonade)

Disclaimer: The views expressed here are solely those of the author and do not in any way represent the views of exchange4media.com.