Linda Liang's Tips on Navigating Workplace Changes Due to COVID19

CHICAGO – Dr. Linda Liang, the president of Organizational Resources LLC, WBE, WOSB with more than 25 years of experience in leadership development and coaching, has compiled recommendations for employers handling rapidly changing workplace dynamics due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With a PhD in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from the Illinois Institute of Technology and experience working with Fortune 100 companies in manufacturing, healthcare, banking, higher education and non-profits, Liang is able to provide insight and guidance surrounding employee engagement, why coaching is essential, the importance of connecting with others and helping leaders handle disruptive change, among other topics.

“The traditional workplace has changed drastically in a very short period of time for many people,” said Liang. “Leaders who have grit and resilience, who know how to motivate and maximize team performance will thrive and survive in this new world.”

Leading in a Time of Crisis
Company leadership styles and approaches are undergoing rapid transformation. Techniques that worked in the past are now obsolete. Below are leadership guidelines for future success:

· Manage and motivate employees based on their core needs and desires. For example, leaders should identify what they need right now and create an action plan for their staff to help achieve those goals.
· Coach both individual and groups to promote risk, creativity, adaptability and resilience. Help employees identify their individual strengths and learn how to practice them to make better decisions and take risks in the workplace.
· Foster respect for others because handling conflict remotely will be more challenging than ever as individuals tire of the “new way” of doing things. Assist employees in identifying their conflict management style to learn the value of different approaches to handling conflict.
· Promote camaraderie and teamwork while working remotely. Brainstorm fun group activities to break up the feelings of isolation and loneliness.
· Communicate often. Provide a factual company update every week to help employees feel safe and secure.
· Be a compassionate leader. Encourage others, build leadership skills and retain talent. Structure a method for managers to check in weekly with each employee and share what they did well and ask what they need support with.

Helping Your Employees to Survive and Thrive in a Virtual Working Environment
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced a significant amount of businesses and their employees to work from home. This new working environment and its quick and unexpected transition hosts an abundance of challenges for businesses including a lack of focus and engagement from employees. To combat this challenge, Liang recommends the following:

· Foster a culture of positivity. Be honest, stay factual rather than judgmental
o Communicate openly and often. Let your employees know how much they mean to you and how valuable they are.
o Stay optimistic and positive. Organize team bonding activities, schedule virtual games to kick off a meeting, have a pet show and tell, share hobbies virtually, etc.
o Become aware of emerging leaders. Observe who steps up to the plate and takes on a new project, encourages others, displays excellent decision making and helps others to succeed. These are your leaders of the future.
· Show appreciation for your employees. Check in to see if they are okay. Ask for suggestions from employees. Focus on what you can control vs. what you cannot. Help your team maintain a positive attitude.
· Be positive, offer encouragement, look for the “good” around you.
· Offer counselors to help with feelings of despair, lack of control and hopelessness.
· Deal with feelings of worthlessness and loneliness by showcasing something special about each and every employee.
· Host social virtual gatherings: virtual happy hours, game nights, concerts, etc.

Stay Ahead of a Rapidly Changing World
The world of business has experienced a considerable amount of challenges during the course of the pandemic. It is critical for leaders to embrace the ability to be agile in order to remain successful during this crisis. Liang offers multiple suggestions on how to navigate the uncertainty of a business world undergoing massive disruptive changes:

· Think: What do we need to do right now?
· Do: Learn to be spontaneous. Move quickly and effectively.
· Assess: What is working? What is not? What needs to change?
· Revise: What do we need to do differently to adapt?

Dr. Liang is available to help top leaders lead their teams during a crisis, create leadership development programs , design virtual programs on change and conflict management, and coach individuals and groups to be agile, take risks and make rapid decisions, and can be reached by phone at 847-712-9002 or via email at cs@orgresources.com. For more information on Dr. Liang and Organizational Resources, please visit www.orgresources.com.

About Dr. Linda Liang
Dr. Liang is a visionary leadership expert who helps leaders handle the complexity, demand and challenging leadership issues of this rapidly changing business environment. Her expertise and experience for over 25 years helps organizations evaluate leadership needs and build leaders of the future through research assessment, coaching and consulting. Facilitates vision and strategy sessions to identify future direction and the leadership competencies and skills needed to address future challenges. Identifies Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion issues in organizations and helps select and monitor work teams to enhance success. Works with leaders to build skills in change management, workplace conflict, teambuilding and building a culture of inclusive excellence. Coaches leaders on strategic thinking, power and influence, holding others accountable, handling emotions and managing change. Certified in assessing leadership competencies and strengths, communication styles, change leadership style and emotional intelligence, Linda coaches C-suite executives and middle managers to identify their blind spots, manage their time, and to achieve higher levels of success. Organizations walk away with leaders who make quick decisions, take risks, and adapt quickly. She has worked with Fortune 100 companies, utilities, manufacturing, food, banking, higher education and non-profit institutions. She has also worked on four grants for the National Science Foundation to promote leadership competencies and coach diverse leaders in STEM fields.

About Organizational Resources
Organizational Resources, LLC, WBE, WOSB is a leadership development and coaching firm that specializes in helping organizations to succeed. For over 25 years, OR has helped Fortune 100
companies assess their leaders, build leadership competency models, create leadership development and training programs and coach C-Suite individuals and top leaders to enhance organizational success. In addition, OR believes in the values of respect for all and has designed customized diversity analytics programs,fostered cultures of collaboration and harmony and helped individuals to learn power and influence. They are proud to say 100% of their clients have been satisfied.