To say the pandemic has been stressful is a bit of an understatement.
“This experience has forced people to question everything, and to focus on what’s truly important,” says Wendy McManus, executive leadership and mental fitness coach of Connect2Potential, based in Orlando, FL.
“I regularly talk with leaders who are managing a whole new landscape and feeling stressed.”
Everything has changed: working remotely, social distancing if in an office or warehouse, no travel.
“Leaders and their teams are all dealing with a heightened level of stress about everything—including social isolation, financial challenges, fear over health issues, kids learning at home, societal unrest, and political polarization. Just one of these factors would be incredibly difficult to manage—right now, all of us are dealing with all of these issues, all at once.”
Leaders, McManus emphasizes, can guide their companies with positivity and empathy.
“If the pandemic continues to drag on, teams will need to be led through innovation and problem solving. Everyone is tired. But a leader’s enthusiasm and positive outlook may be just what others need to get through the day.”
McManus also hopes leaders can recognize and make the most of what she calls “the gifts” of the pandemic.
“I’d love to see deeper levels of empathy and curiosity become standard issue among produce industry leaders.”
This is a feature from the cover story of the January/February 2021 issue of Produce Blueprints Magazine. Click here to read the full article.
