Thoughtful leadership in demand amid coronavirus uncertainty
As the coronavirus creates uncertainty and anxiety, workers are turning to a new type of leader for guidance.
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In times of crisis, people turn to the quietly powerful for positivity, calm and a considered response.
While outgoing and outspoken leaders have no trouble commanding a room, leadership consultant Megumi Miki said it was the more thoughtful leaders that often shined in the face of uncertainty – such as during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Being comfortable, present and purposeful was especially important at the moment.
“In the situation we find ourselves in right now, with so many unknowns and complexity, these attributes shine as leadership strengths,” the Quietly Powerful: How your quiet nature is your hidden leadership strength author said.
“(A leader’s) comfort in their own skin allows them to access their inner calm and step back while remaining humble such that they ask for and listen to others with curiosity.
“Because they are comfortable, they can be present and respond to what is happening and be with others, which shows up as empathy, compassion and authenticity.
“These leaders do not focus on themselves or looking good, but rather focus purposefully on the work and outcomes. They are more likely to make decisions which benefit the collective, again a critical leadership strength in a crisis.”
Although not claiming to know New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on a personal level, Ms Miki said Ms Ardern exhibited traits of a quietly powerful leader.
“She is still decisive but she listens to the experts because she is not a medical professional,” she said. “She is not always out there promoting herself, it’s not about her but what is right for everyone else – that’s the purposeful side of being quietly powerful.”
Ms Miki said less extroverted professionals should not be discouraged from pursuing leadership goals because they did not fit traditional stereotypes.
“Don’t have the assumption you are not leader-like – you can develop that,” she said.
“Sometimes there are people who don’t say a lot but when they do, they have a great deal of wisdom.”
Landlord insurance specialist Terri Scheer Insurance executive manager Carolyn Parrella believed there was “absolutely” a movement away from loud leaders and toward more thoughtful ones.
“People will respond to quiet and thoughtful but they might not to loud and rambunctious,” she said.
“When you show your vulnerabilities and that you are no different to your team, that matters to people.”
Ms Parrella described her own leadership style as mindful, saying psychological safety was important in team situations.
“I’ve had members of my team tell me they’re glad I’m at the steering wheel, especially now during the uncertainty of COVID-19,” she said.
“Feeling safe at work with permission to be vulnerable and call things out is important.”
Ms Parrella said leaders could establish influence without being loud if they led by example and focused on listening to their team.
“Walking the talk is important,” she said.
“If it’s just words you won’t have any credibility or buy-in.
“(My advice to aspiring leaders is to) give the person who is talking your full attention and then ask the right questions.
“Don’t think you need to know all the answers. You can’t know everything and there is nothing wrong with saying you don’t know and will find out.”
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