More and more states are lifting their mask mandates marking the beginning of the end for the COVID-19 pandemic. 2020 sparked a new question for many leaders, including, how has the COVID-19 pandemic redefined the manager role?
To best answer this, we recommend having handy a strategic plan for your cleaning company that defines your crisis leadership skills. So, what are the five crisis leadership skills you should have on that list? We break them down for you below.
Navigate
To navigate as a leader means to continue to lead your team with intention, even if you are learning as you go. COVID-19 served many threats to the cleaning industry, but for strong cleaning company systems, those threats were manageable.
By navigating through a crisis and creating a strong strategic plan for your cleaning company, you can set yourself up for more janitorial business opportunities by leaving a good impression on your clients in unprecedented times.
Learn more about navigating a crisis in your industry by visiting our Industries page.
Communicate
As a leader in a crisis, you need to know what your team is feeling. Communicate with them to understand any fears they may have about the risk of team group cleaning during a pandemic, or any stressors they have when it comes to home/work life balance and the financial impact a pandemic may have on them.
Your team will also be looking to you for guidance more than ever during a crisis. Consider clear ways you can communicate next steps and what you need from your team to continue thriving in cleaning services management.
Listen
Given the adjustment in pandemic working conditions, as much as you communicate with your team, working in cleaning services management also means you need to be a good listener.
Your leadership style sets the tone for your team cleaning group. Giving your team the floor to address their concerns gives them the assurance that you’re looking out for them in a crisis. Not to mention, this practice also can build employee retention.
Learn
As you navigate, listen and communicate, you will stand out in the cleaning industry by appreciating your cleaning staff. What you learn can project onto your employees and define the qualities of a good cleaner.
Another great way to learn is by taking part in cleaning manager training. You won’t be the only leader navigating a crisis, and it can be a great resource to educate yourself with the help of other managers in the JanSan industry.
Dive deeper about cleaning during a pandemic cleaning during a pandemic in a blog we wrote about how COVID-19 is changing the definition of "clean."
Lead
In a crisis, you may be asking yourself how to lead a cleaning service business. There is a reason we’ve highlighted this skill for last. To successfully be a confident leader, you will need to navigate, communicate, listen and learn first.
When you assess your commercial cleaning team you can successfully build upon your strategic plan for your cleaning company. By knowing what your team needs and what you need as a leader, you can know how to train a cleaning staff and set them up for success no matter what environment they are in.
Prevent issues with cleaning services by communicating and listening to your team to develop the qualities of a good cleaner. By doing so, you can set the bar higher for cleaning services management during a crisis.
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