Project Management

3 Ways COVID Changed My Leadership Style

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by Yasmina Khelifi, PMI-ACP, PMI-PBA, PMP

The unforeseen chaos of COVID-19 has changed the way we work, the way we live—and the way we lead. Here are three ways I’ve reinvented my leadership style in such uncertainty:

1. Increased empathy

I’ve worked in a virtual global environment for the past 20 years. Still, this crisis helped me sharpen my skills and I’ve also become a more empathetic leader. 

I’m more understanding as project delays arise. I’m more accepting of small mistakes made by my team in haste. And I’m conditioned to push through work challenges that are outside of my control, like the internet connectivity issues of teammates abroad. I’ve also noticed I’m more sensitive to my tone of voice when I communicate information to remote team members.

2. More thoughtful self-discovery

The external crisis forced me to focus on some questions that may sound philosophical, but chart a path forward:

  • What is essential?
  • What is meaningful?
  • What impact do you want to leave?

It takes time and courage to begin the journey of self-introspection but it’s rewarding. Have you made your leadership self-diagnosis? Try repurposing an agile retrospective tool:

It’s time to take stock. Unlearning habits isn’t so easy, but taking actions now will impact tomorrow.

3. An expanded professional network

The instability of the existing job market reinforces the need to expand your network. For instance, I enrolled in an international professional community to develop marketing skills. I have the opportunity to meet coaches, HR managers, speakers and writers I’m not usually exposed to. I’m optimistic that it will open my eyes to a new learning world.

In what ways have you changed as a leader this year?


Posted by Yasmina Khelifi on: December 11, 2020 05:41 AM | Permalink

Comments (12)

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Jean-Claude Greco Sierre, Valais, Switzerland
Thanks for sharing

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Alok Priyadarshi Project Manager| Tata Consulting Engineers Limited Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, India
Thank you for sharing your experience!!

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Yasmina Khelifi Senior Project Manager Paris, France
Hi Jean-Claude, thank you very much for your feedback. Yasmina

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Yasmina Khelifi Senior Project Manager Paris, France
Hi Alok, thank you very much for your feedback. Yasmina

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Kwiyuh Michael Wepngong
Community Champion
Financial Management Specialist | US Peace Corps Yaounde, Centre, Cameroon
Thanks for sharing

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Yasmina Khelifi Senior Project Manager Paris, France
Hi Kwiyuh, thank you very much for your comment. Stay safe! Yasmina

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Charles Ibonye Cofounder/Director, Project & Business Development| Smartech Enterprise Integrated Concept (SEIC) Limited Lekki Penisula, Lagos State, Nigeria
Very insightful...Thanks for sharing your experience.

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Yasmina Khelifi Senior Project Manager Paris, France
Hi Charles, thank you very much for your feedback. Stay safe! Yasmina

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Mohammad Riyadh Alam Sr. Project Manager| Med Group Yalova, Türkiye
Interesting, thanks for sharing.

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Yasmina Khelifi Senior Project Manager Paris, France
Hi Mohammad, thank you for your feedback. Stay safe! Yasmina

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DAVID PEREIRA ESPASANDIN Research Manager| REACH Madrid, Md, Spain
Adaptation to abrupt changes pose a challenge anyhow. Projects, people and the environment as a whole was not in place for a shift in our way of working and leader. Indeed, lenghty phone calls replaced one-on-one chats and meetings. Lenghty working hours replaced a stick to the normal timetables. Tons of useful (?) meetings replaced one direct interaction or collaboration. Agree that last year leaders successfully adapted to a strive for more dynamic working environments.

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Yasmina Khelifi Senior Project Manager Paris, France
Hola David, thank you so much for your insightful feedback. Stay safe! Yasmina

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