Variants and Masks and Creating a Culture

It is the most important principle of leadership I know and this is why I’ve repeated it so often in these Leading Thoughts. It is simply that leadership is about building a culture. I’m repeating this now because we are about to enter a season in which leaders will need to remember this truth and put it into practice, perhaps more than ever.

As you know, we are not where we hoped to be regarding Covid-19. Because of the Delta variant, we are having to talk about masks again and restrictions and lockdowns. Now, my focus here is not on these details. My focus is on how we lead through these details.

See, the wise leader knows he or she can be right on an issue but still lead through that issue in such a way that a damaged culture arises. Let me give some examples.

Your company has been mask free. Now, your state government and the health of some folks in your company are creating demands that you require masks. So, let’s assume that you are right in whatever you are thinking about this. Still, how you lead unleashes a spirit, so to speak—it encourages an attitude—that can harm your firm though you might be making the right decision.

Let’s say that you start requiring masks but you do it condemning and shaming those who wouldn’t get vaccinated. You tell everyone that these folks are the reason the Delta variant is even an issue and that all of us have to start wearing masks again. Again, let’s assume—purely for the sake of argument—that you are right. But look at the culture you’ve built—one of bitterness and division.

Or let’s say that you blame the renewed mask-wearing requirements on the government and its stupidity. Again, let’s assume you are right. But by basing your decision about masks in anger and even rebellion, you build a surly, raging culture in your firm.

Or suppose you make it all about fear and how people might die and how we must wear masks or we will be responsible for lives. Again, let’s say you are right. But by leading in fear and accusation, you build a retreating, dread-based culture in your firm.

So you see that you might be right on the facts, but you can lead in such a way as to create a toxic culture.

Now, let’s imagine a change in tone. Suppose you talk about respect for those who’ve chosen not to get vaccinated and how we all should pull together to respect freedom of choice. Or suppose rather than assail government you say that you may not agree with the politicians but you are calling everyone to pull together and stand with our elected leaders who are doing the best they can in tough circumstances. And, of course, rather than bathe your decision in fear, you can make it about compassion for the weak and the health-challenged.

Do you see how the decision about masks doesn’t change in the scenarios I’ve cited? Instead, it is how the leader leads in light of the culture they hope to build.

I’m watching companies get more unified and more productive during this pandemic. It is because leaders are using every challenge as an opportunity to build a noble, vital, thriving culture. Other companies, of course, are being destroyed and it is often because of the culture that angry, fearful, resentful and even ill-informed leaders are creating.

You cannot control all circumstances. You can control the culture in your firm. Make and announce decisions in such a way that embeds the right kind of culture in all you lead. This, I assure you, is one of the great arts of leadership.