In psychology, we know that how a person interprets a situation is key to their psychological response to it, and habits of helpful thinking lead to better mental health.
Whether we are aware of it or not, getting through the pandemic is, for most, more about mindset than skills.
Some call this a resilient mindset, others like the Møller Institute of Churchill College in the University of Cambridge call it an 'Explorer Mindset'.
Based on qualitative research with leaders of firms, The institute found that explorers - those who transform organisations through their leadership - share a natural curiosity, resilience, determination, focus, preparedness, entrepreneurial risk appetite and sense of higher purpose.
These skills can, thankfully, be practised and taught.
Watch out for the always-on culture
The pandemic has created an 'always-on' culture, probably in large part due to most people working from home, which results in working long hours and being on their phone from when they wake up until they go to bed.
I know first hand that this led to an expectation of receiving a response during the hours of 7-11 pm, and even an expectation that I can answer emails in the middle of a zoom call.
This might be efficient for business, but it also breeds a highly reactive culture where you implicitly reward a quick response over a well-thought-through response.
When do people have time to stop responding and step back to be creative, proactive or strategic?
As a leader, you need to make sure you give people that time, insist that they diarise and protect it and explicitly permit them to take that time regularly. Doing so will increase yours and your team's focus and resilience.
The pandemic has created an 'always-on' culture, probably in large part due to most people working from home.Take stock to look forward
Many of your stakeholders have already changed, and their business models have shifted.
So, take stock of what has changed, and see where the demand is likely to come from.
Encouraging your team to speak to peers in your industry, read trade publications and ask your clients what they need now that they didn't need before.
Giving your team time to make these types of interrogations will encourage forward creative thinking about new ways to win new business.
Where is the momentum going to be, and how does it match up with your plans? Take time to prepare - it will pay dividends in the future.
Be curious
Ambiguity can be paralysing if not depersonalised and reframed as a thinking point. Start by breaking down the ambiguity by categorising and defining what is unknown.
Be self-aware and honest about what your biggest business fear is. Rather than dismiss the fear, explore it - what is it, what would it mean if it came true?
Does it need to be mitigated? If so, how? Next, determine the level of certainty you need until you can mobilise, creating something of a timeline. Consider whether you are minimising risk to your detriment or aren't exploring growth opportunities.
When do people have time to stop responding and step back to be creative, proactive or strategic?Connect and collaborate
Connecting and collaborating with people increases your likelihood of success when tackling tricky problems.
Complex or intractable problems tend to be more effectively addressed by a group than one person on their own.
Getting a group to collaborate has the added benefits of creating a sense of belonging between team-members and buy-in to the solution, all of which have substantial payoffs at the individual (wellbeing) and organisation (change implementation) level.
Being part of a team also gives people a higher sense of purpose, making them feel they are part of something bigger than themselves.
Being a leader is about more than having the right skills and experience - it's about having the right mindset and fostering the right attitude in others.
By taking the time to set the right mindset in yourself and your team, you'll be opening yourself up to more opportunities for growth and creative thinking, just in time for the new year.
Portia Hickey is a chartered psychologist and co-creator of the Thrive Matters Platform
