Effective leadership during and after the coronavirus pandemic was the topic covered during SightCare Premium’s fifth Question Time webinar, with panel members consulted on a number of issues relating to managing employee personalities and motivating staff.
The panel was made up of four experts. Practice owner Katie Memory formed half of the optical contingent, with managing director of the Macular Society Cathy Yelf completing it. Yelf and Memory were joined by leadership development coach and TEDex speaker Ian Windle and behavioural change coach Vida Carmel, pictured below.
With many optical teams temporarily losing staff to furlough schemes, business owners and managers have been placed into unfamiliar territory. Noting this, one webinar attendee asked the panel about how to tailor leadership to employees that cannot be in practice. Yelf emphasised the importance of personal relationships in navigating this: ‘It’s all about knowing your staff – some people want you to
be down the line with them, and some people
need you to bump them up and make them feel safe.’
Carmel agreed, saying: ‘Respond to what’s happening in the moment because the rule book is out of the window at the moment. Be present with your staff and adapt yourself to the here and now.’
Memory added that some employees may need more interaction during this time, while others may be more comfortable working from home and thus need less interaction.
On a positive future-focused note, how to galvanise staff after lockdown was also queried by an attendee. Windle noted that, while furloughed staff could feel disconnected by not working for so long, they were still able to complete training and conversely could be better prepared for work when they return.
Memory explained that preparing for a return to work was essential and that leaders should not expect staff to hit the ground running unless they have prepared properly. ‘It’s a good idea to check in on the team and make sure they’re excited about coming back to work,’ she said.
