{"id":8058,"date":"2020-06-01T00:00:29","date_gmt":"2020-06-01T07:00:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/todaysveterinarybusiness.com\/?p=8058"},"modified":"2022-06-15T17:46:18","modified_gmt":"2022-06-15T17:46:18","slug":"crisis-veterinary-leaders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarybusiness.com\/crisis-veterinary-leaders\/","title":{"rendered":"Be a Guiding Light"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ten days after 9\/11, I watched \u201cAmerica: A Tribute to Heroes,\u201d a television special featuring many celebrities. Bruce Springsteen gave a moving performance of \u201cMy City of Ruins.\u201d The following year, he released his album \u201cThe Rising,\u201d which was based in large part on his reflections of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. I like the title track song \u201cThe Rising\u201d and listened to it after my mom passed. While the song is about sadness and grief, it also evokes feelings of hope. When I listen to it, I feel like everything is going to be OK and that I have the strength and confidence to get through tough times.<\/p>\n

Veterinary practice leaders should be able to confidently guide their teams and clients through difficult periods like the COVID-19 crisis and demonstrate that resilience and hope can exist alongside sadness. That\u2019s why communication is so important.<\/p>\n

Team Communication<\/h3>\n

First and foremost, employee communication needs to be transparent and positive. Open lines of communication are critical due to the fear and anxiety that people experience. Being honest and kind helps build trust with the team. You can tell everyone that you don\u2019t have all the answers but that you will strive to assist them and keep them informed.<\/p>\n

Here are four recommendations.<\/p>\n

1. Stay connected and show compassion.<\/strong><\/p>\n

One of the best communication strategies during times of crisis is to create a safe environment in which everyone can express feelings. Leaders can be role models by being open about their own feelings and by routinely asking employees how they\u2019re doing. An ideal forum for sharing feelings is during daily standing meetings. A whiteboard or poster board can be used to give team members an outlet to draw pictures or write phrases about how they are feeling during the week.<\/p>\n

Now more than ever, practice leaders need to communicate how much they care about their teams. Pay attention to what people need by being fully present.<\/p>\n

A few ideas are:<\/p>\n