It’s time to make some calls, again!

Back in March, just as the pandemic was shutting us all down, I wrote about using your telephone to reach out to people, to make connections, and to listen to what’s going on.

Unfortunately, we’re still in that crisis. Social Distancing measures are coming back, and it seems like every day there’s a new challenge to overcome as a business owner, but also as a parent, a child of aging parents, and as a friend, and neighbor.

Today I’m reprising much of that advice below. As we head into a winter filled with uncertainties I can’t think of anything more important than staying close to your clients, past clients, team members, family and friends.

If you are on this list, you are a leader, not just in your business, but in your community and family. People are looking to you for guidance and comfort. Now is a time when you need to be available and be connected.

Pick up the phone, make some calls, make some connections.

Take care of your team. Get them on the phone and tell them what you for the winter. Answer questions. Let everyone know you don’t have your head in the sand.

Are you busy? Help make sure that your team has accommodations to meet the demands of their family and community. Are you slow? Make sure that you set expectations with your team for what’s ahead.

This isn’t going to be easy, but if we pull together, we’ll see our way through. Do a group call, but then also make the time to talk to each one personally over the next few days. They need to hear that, even if you don’t have answers, you care and are facing the future.

Keep calling customers and past customers. You need to hear what they see, what their challenges are, and share any solutions you might have. We’re weary of the stress and the uncertainty. Hearing a friendly voice could be crucial. Just listen.

Be there for your family and community too. With many of our churches, schools, and offices shut down, the sources of support that many rely on might be constrained or even cut off.

Reach out.

You can be the source of some things that we know will be in short supply. As this crisis continues, everyone needs calm, reassurance, and connection. You can give folks that.