
What team members can do in crisis
- Posted by jwpalp
- On May 12, 2020
- 0 Comments
When it comes to surviving and thriving during times of upheaval and crisis, we tend to emphasize the traits that successful leaders can employ to motivate and empower their team. Yet it’s equally crucial that team members respond well to transition and are prepared to move forward through a crisis. In today’s blog, we discuss six positive contributions employees can make, and how they can help shape their team’s momentum and drive. These factors can empower team members to adapt faster, work smarter, and retain energy for the long haul.
• Self-awareness: How well do you know yourself? In a crisis event, it’s helpful to already be well-acquainted with your strengths, how you handle stress, and that you understand which coping strategies work for you. If you need to build more self-awareness, don’t worry, it’s never too late. I suggest reflecting on your strengths, reactions to stress, and coping skills, and then asking trusted others in your life for their feedback if you’re comfortable doing so.
• Have daily check-ins with yourself: Monitor yourself for signs of stress and increase your self-care accordingly. Symptoms of anxiety or depression can include a myriad of human responses. Still, a few major ones are: losing your appetite or eating unhealthily, not being able to sleep or over-sleeping, isolating, increased or decreased energy levels, a loss of pleasure in day-to-day activities, and an increase in substance use.
• Altruism: When we are altruistic, we have other’s best interests at heart. It’s a selfless consideration for our family, co-workers, colleagues, customers, friends, and neighbors. Altruism is an essential trait because we know that practicing altruism, compassion, and acts of generosity helps others, strengthens relationships, and lowers our own stress levels.
• Purpose: If you are feeling overwhelmed or even burnt out at work, try focusing on your mission. Reminding yourself of your ultimate purpose fuels your determination and boosts your morale and sense of accomplishment.
• Expectations of your leaders: Even leaders who make it seem like their achievements are effortless also experience stress in times of crisis and transition. Team members make positive contributions when they have fair, kind, and realistic expectations of their leaders. It might help to reach out to your manager and ask how he or she is holding up in these unsettling times. We can all use a dose of kindness.
• Self-Care: When team members are attending to their needs and self-care, it shows. Employees can show up and put their best efforts forward when they are supported. Self-care practices are tailored to each individual, so what works for you may not work for someone else. They include eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep and exercise, and connecting with others in meaningful ways. The most important thing about creating a self-care routine is consistency, and that what you are doing feels nourishing and rejuvenating to you. We all need to remember that we can’t fill up others’ cups if ours is running low or is empty.