Unexpected Issues

Sometimes, things at work go in an “unplanned direction.”

As leaders, it helps to have a plan or a checklist to deal with the things that “go pear-shaped.”

This should include a contact list with current information (emails and phone numbers), so that you can communicate with the team. It should be something you can still access if the power is off (e.g., a paper printout), as well as something you can access if the building is inaccessible (e.g., a copy of the file on your home laptop).

Periodically check to see that you and your key team members have secure ways to access important files remotely. If you already have hybrid or remote work schedules, a sudden shift due to an emergency is going to be less disruptive.

Emphasize safety over productivity. Social media is full of posts in which an employee contacts their boss about the hurricane or flood or wildfire or medical emergency that they are experiencing, and the boss responds with a “But you’re still coming to work, right?” Don’t be “bad-boss” meme-worthy.

We can’t plan for everything, but we can have a plan for what to do when the unexpected happens.

(image source: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1240539021286477&set=gm.3941139672843874&idorvanity=3506096186348227)