SEVEN CRITICAL STEPS FOR THE ACTION-ORIENTED LEADER While the panic is slowly spreading throughout our society, our businesses right now need thought, calm, planning and, not least, real leadership. From our work the past few weeks in many leading companies, we see the following reaction patterns that any leader would do well to copy: #1 TAKE RESPONSIBILITY As the leader, you have a responsibility to your business – and consequently to all its stake-holders. All of them. You cannot optimise with respect to one stakeholder group at the cost of others – you need a 360-degree perspective and consider how your plans could affect all stakeholders. This does not mean that you should try to please everybody – the scenario we are facing will hurt in many ways – but you can enter into dialogue with your stakeholders and openly explain your choices, including those that may hurt. Take responsibility for your deci-sions. That is responsibility. #2 COMMUNICATE I should not have to say this but you really cannot communicate too much right now. To every-body and, of course, in particular to your employees. This creates calm and a feeling of securi-ty. And it is OK that you do not have the answer to everything. But offer the answers you do have. Communicate what you know and what you are not sure of. First and foremost: Com-municate your decisions and the launched initiatives – and celebrate when they result in the desired effect.
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