EP77: Avoiding the Chaos

Make a clear plan, but remain flexible to feedback.

During times of crisis, it is easy to get caught up in feelings of chaos and confusion. The rapid spread of COVID-19 across our countries has forced organizations and leaders to adapt quickly and make tough decisions. Tea Area School District leaders, Dr. Jennifer Lowery, and Dr. Tonia Warzecha join Janet on today’s show to share how their district took action to stay focused and communicate clearly with their teams and the rapidly growing community they serve.

This episode addresses questions, such as:

What are two or three actions leaders can take to keep people moving in a positive direction?
How can we stay focused on our priorities during times of chaos?
How can organizations learn from this pandemic to advance their services?

Related Resources

Finding the Right Communication Method
Depending on who you ask, how to provide good communication varies. Most would agree that good communication involves a clear, concise message conveyed with voice or text. Stakeholders who receive consistent, reliable communication are more engaged with their work. Choosing the right communication method allows for collaboration and relationship building to occur on your team.

Leader Connection Questions
The highest performing leaders are able to make the best decisions when they have solid and trusting relationships with others. To build trusting relationships, leaders regularly converse with employees about their work and transparently take action, showing employees they are valued. When combined with effective follow-up by leaders, this practice of checking in with employees also increases engagement and leads to improved outcomes across the organization.

9 Tips for Leader Communication During Disruption
Our students and teams are facing disruptive, uncertain times. In this situation, individuals are looking to their leaders for strength, stability and understanding. Relieve anxiety with your teams and communities by planning specific messages and touch points, using the right communication tools and focusing on personal wellbeing.

Organizational Feedback Loop
Organizations committed to continuous improvement frequently ask their stakeholders for feedback. Who better knows an organization than its employees, customers, partners and the community closest to it? Interacting with stakeholders and gathering feedback provides leaders with valuable information; about areas of success and opportunities for improvement. Use of a feedback loop engages stakeholders, builds trust, and increases engagement throughout the organization.