Prepare To Show You Care
When you take on a leadership position, you may be surprised at the number of things you suddenly are expected to make decisions about. One of those is weather.
“Weather?” you’re thinking. “Seriously? You want me to think about weather when I’ve got two projects behind schedule and a budget due? Don’t executives usually decide on snow days?”
And yes, normally snow days are not your decision. But as a first line supervisor or middle manager, you still need to know how to implement the logistics of a weather-related decision. This is one of those things people often don’t talk about until the flood or the tornado or the blizzard is on the horizon, and suddenly people are running around doing and saying all kinds of wacky things. Calmly directing people to the right shelter or evacuation point will make you look like a superstar.
Sometime this January is a good time for you to review your organization’s weather policy, and give some thought as to what it means for you and your team. You might also want to think about a way to clearly communicate what people need to do in case of bad weather.
In one job, I was on the executive staff, and came up with a poem, “The Tornado Twist,” to help people remember how to safely evacuate to the basement. A couple of years later, someone said to me that she felt like my poem saved her life, because she always thought about it during drills. She said she was so grateful that she knew what to do. Her statement surprised me, since I had forgotten about my poem, but it also reinforced that creative communication can be key.
I like to think in rhyme and do it all the time. But apparently she thought it was a lot of effort and appreciated it. That extra touch made her think the executive cared about their safety. (I actually got some resistance on The Tornado Twist, but didn’t tell her that. If you’ve read my book, you know managing up is not my strong point.)
The important thing to remember about weather-related events is that the safety of your people is paramount. That’s why it matters. Not because people want a snow day (and who doesn’t) but because knowing what to do when the flood is seeping in under the door shows that that you have thought ahead about their lives and their safety. It’s a way to show that you care. As a leader, that’s always a good message to convey.
Sometime between the budget drill and the training requirements, review that weather policy. Consider any implications for your team. (Have someone with mobility issues? How will they get to the basement?) Make it an agenda item at a staff meeting. Even do your own drill, with brownies afterward. And be ready, when the storm hits, for someone to say, “I’m so glad you prepared us.”
