If you find it hard to keep rallying the troops when you are exhausted yourself, you are not alone. With the pandemic persisting and so much uncertainty still looming, even the most energetic and upbeat people are struggling to stay engaged and encourage their team members.
As Lisa Kohn, a leadership consultant, executive coach and keynote speaker, puts it, it’s all getting old. All the Zoom calls, leading virtually, home schooling and dealing with the pressures of the pandemic are taking a toll.

While there’s no easy way to lead well when you are feeling drained, there are a few ways you can make things better for yourself and those around you. In this issue of Promotional Consultant Today, we share Kohn’s top tips for supporting your team even when it feels difficult.

Keep your sense of humor. Laughing is a great way to boost your mood, whether you listen to a favorite podcast or watch a few minutes of a comedy. Kohn says you can also look for ways to find humor in your everyday life. For example, instead of getting frustrated at having to shovel snow again, try laughing about it. You can’t control the weather, so there’s no sense getting upset about it. And if you forget how to explain long-forgotten math concepts to your kid attending virtual school, try laughing it off instead of feeling embarrassed.

Keep things in perspective. Building off the point above, try not to get triggered or upset so easily. Remember that we are in the middle of a pandemic, says Kohn. The more you can keep things in perspective and realize that you don’t need to complete everything perfectly or immediately, the more likely you can reduce your stress and overwhelm.

Look for the good. It may not always seem like it, but beauty is all around. Take a minute to gaze out your window. Do you see snowflakes? Birds perching on a tree branch? Kohn recalls noticing the intricate beauty of a snowflake that landed on her mitten, which led her to realize that every snowflake is unique. She says that while it may sound trite or silly, it helps to look for the good and beautiful in your world.

Take care of yourself. When you are feeling burned out, it becomes even more important to take some time for yourself. When you care for yourself physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually, the more resiliency you will have to be there for others, says Kohn.

Connect how you can. While social distancing may prevent you from getting together with others in person, you can still often connect virtually, Kohn notes. Remember to ask your colleagues how they are doing and share about your life, as well. Kohn likes to personally text eight people each morning to send hugs and love. She says it’s one way to stay connected and feel slightly less tired of everything.

Accept that things are challenging right now. Rather than try to paint a rosy picture, acknowledge that the world is going through a difficult time. It’s okay to be human and feel tired. This will somehow give you the strength to keep going, says Kohn.

Look ahead. The pandemic won’t last forever. Think about how life will look for your clients and your team members as people start getting back to offices and in-person meetings. Kohn encourages leaders to think about what their employees will face when the pandemic is over.

When the demands of leading a team can seem overwhelming at times, pause and give yourself some grace. When you realize you don’t have to keep it together every day, you can live and lead better.

Compiled by Audrey Sellers

Source: Lisa Kohn is an accomplished leadership consultant, executive coach, author and keynote speaker with a strong business background and a creative approach.