Leading with Empathy: A Leader’s Role During Natural Disasters like Cyclone Montha

Phenomena like Cyclone Montha are often a reminder of what life is really about: unpredictability, empathy, and togetherness. Across states like Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana, the impact of nature is felt and seen by all.

In situations like these, it becomes more important than ever to show care for all you care for, even in a professional setting. Company leaders and HR professionals should specifically prioritise people over processes and lives over goals.

These steps are not about earning any brownie points for employee engagement or boosting employer brand. They are about showcasing humanity and using available resources to help all who are in need.

Immediate Response: Safety and Communication First

During a crisis, people look to their leaders to determine what should and shouldn’t be done. The standard you set is what your employees will come to expect from you.

For HR professionals who are specifically well-versed in handling employees’ needs, it is imperative to take as many necessary steps as possible to ensure employee safety and comfort.

• Self Check-In: Before taking any steps for others, ensure your own safety first. Check in with yourself and your family before anything else. Only when your own safety is assured should you turn to your fellow employees.
• Maintain Contact: Verify your employees’ whereabouts and be aware of how they plan to weather the storm. Provide your employees with emergency contact details and information about the resources they can access.
• Open Communication: Be transparent about company operations, closures, and remote work options. In crisis situations, vague information can often be stressful beyond imagination.  
• Verify Information: Before sharing any information, make sure that it is verified, including the details of helplines, government updates, and relief centres. Discourage employees from sharing second-hand information or graphic media of what might be happening around them.
• Delegate: Delegation is always important, but in a crisis situation, it becomes even more imperative. Helping others should not come at the cost of your own mental or physical well-being.

Flexibility in Work and Expectations

As a company leader and/or HR professional, it is always important to be flexible in working expectations and conditions. Such flexibility not only allows you to handle a crisis effectively but also to manage the aftermath of a stressful experience.

• Be flexible with deadlines, attendance, and expectations.
• Offer temporary work-from-home options or paid time off.
• Reassure employees that compassion will outweigh performance metrics during and beyond the crisis.
• Ensure that employees are indeed in a calm situation if/when resuming work.

Emotional Support and Wellbeing

During and after the crisis, emotional support and well-being are as important as physical conditions. This applies not just to your company’s employees but also to you. Maintaining mental peace is important not just for navigating a crisis, but also for emerging from it stronger and sharper.

• Encourage team check-ins focused on emotional support, not just work updates.
• Highlight empathy-led leadership as listening and reassurance go a long way.
• Make sure any crisis coordinator, including yourself, has time to rest and disconnect.
• Ensure that employees know what resources are available to them.

Leading with Heart

In times of crisis, leadership is measured not by control, but by care. More than leadership thought, it is humanity that should take the driver’s seat to help others. Be open about your desire to help and support without overwhelming others.

Any community, even one that comes together in a workplace, recovers stronger when its people feel supported. Be the support that people can rely on. At the same time, take care of your needs and mental health. Maintaining this fine balance is what crisis management and helping others are all about.

Cyclone Montha Helpline Numbers Odisha

Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has released a list of helpline numbers in light of the cyclonic development.

Helpline numbers over the Khurda Road division:

Bhubaneswar – 8114382371
Khurda Road – 9668978727
Brahmapur – 9668978725
Palasa – 9668978724

Cyclone Montha Helpline Numbers Andhra Pradesh