If this were an actual emergency, the corona-virus and recession news you heard would have been followed with instructions. But, they weren’t…it all came out of the blue.

So, let’s call this a test or maybe a pop quiz. If you’re like me, you disdain threatening surprises. It’s better to be prepared. Now every business in America is being tested…an exhaustive examination of our financial status, human resources, inventory management, leadership, and more. It’s the more part that is most challenging. This takes more resilience than many of us have in reserve.

It takes intelligence, creativity, grit, and teamwork to grow a company.

While, your performance is being examined, you can pass the test with calm leadership and a collegial style of engaging your team. I’ve witnessed a range of responses from obstinacy to abject neglect when working under pressure. Neither work.

It’s time to roll up your sleeves, eliminate departments, respect and energize your team, seek new solutions, and be prepared for growth. See if you can’t transform your radio station from the old programming vs. sales culture to a revenue driven model. In effect, everyone should be working on sales promotions in some capacity.

It’s time to question everything. Create new standards and remove old barriers. Organizations with poor leadership need lots of policies, rules, and parameters to keep them “on track.” Leaders that exercise good judgement can respond to the uniqueness of people, programs, and procedures. Besides, flexible leadership is more creative and a whole lot more fun!

On the other side of this pandemic-recession-election year…you’ll be celebrating with a more cohesive team of people, enjoying stronger sales, and earning grades ahead of the class!