How are you?
As healthcare leaders facing what is probably your first global pandemic, you'll be being called upon to think and work differently. You'll need to mobilise your teams in the face of rapidly changing status, plans and instructions. They'll need to work differently and you'll be coordinating that change, communicating to wider groups and often fielding questions to which you won't know the answers. You won't know for sure what news or change will be coming tomorrow. Or even know how many of your team will be at work tomorrow. You'll be thinking about your family and friends.
No small task. So I ask again. And I mean it. How are you?
Check in with yourself. How are you feeling about what is going on. Where does this situation play to your strengths and where do you need help. Where can you get that help from and what are you going to need to stay sustained for the coming months? This is a marathon not a sprint.
Check in with your teams. Those who you work with and those who report to you. What do they need from you, or how can you support them. How in the virtual world can you stay connected. What communication strategies do you all need. Have you created the psychological safety for them to ask questions and talk about their fears?
Think wider. As healthcare workers we are in a privileged and highly responsible position to ensure the sharing of correct and professional information. To role model behaviours and to act accordingly when those around us aren't. To demonstrate above all kindness and compassion as we live and work in a scared world.
My role for you. I am, as you may have picked up a curator of information, ideas and topics to help you be at your best. What do you need from me right now? I've no plans to stop the weekly email. What can I help you with or what would you like more information on. Join the Facebook page for an easy way to reach out and make some suggestion. You can find that page here
I'm working on different ways to build the sharing and connecting as many people start to work from home. Many of my friends and family around the world are in lock down or isolation. Staying connected and building new contacts is one thing this moment can give us.
As the world changed my weekly emails, written against all advice to contrary, usually on the day they get sent out (Sunday evening), also changed. These are real time experiences and stories of what is happening. They are a collection of reflections and hopes that you can use for yourself and those you lead and work alongside. You can sign up for these emails here.
