--- title: Leadership and the Pandemic description: "There’s no “playbook” for leadership when the stakes are high, and there is certainly no playbook for what to do in the face of a 21st Century pandemic.\nAt e-Zest, what has helped us most is our belief and commitment to our values. This blog is a quick overview of what has helped that may be of interest to you as well." image: https://blog.e-zest.com/hubfs/Business%20Values2-1.png --- [![e-Zest logo\_An accion lab company\_Colour](https://blog.e-zest.com/hubfs/images/Logos%20with%20Tagline/Corporate/SVG/e-Zest%20logo_An%20accion%20lab%20company_Colour.svg "e-Zest logo_An accion lab company_Colour")](https://www.e-zest.com/) - [WORK](https://www.e-zest.com/our-work) - [SERVICES](https://www.e-zest.com/our-services) - [Product Engineering](https://www.e-zest.com/digital-product-engineering-services) - [Enterprise Data Services](https://www.e-zest.com/enterprise-data-services) - [Digital Commerce](https://www.e-zest.com/digital-commerce-services) - [Digital Operations](https://www.e-zest.com/digital-operations) - [Digital Consulting](https://www.e-zest.com/digital-transformation-consulting-services) - [Digital Experience Design](https://www.e-zest.com/digital-experience-design) - [INSIGHTS](https://blog.e-zest.com/) - [CAREERS](https://www.e-zest.com/careers) - [ENTERPRISE DATA SERVICES](https://www.e-zest.com/enterprise-data-services) - [GENERATIVE AI](https://www.e-zest.com/generative-ai) - [Healthcare](https://healthcare.e-zest.com) - [Contact Us](https://www.e-zest.com/contact-us) - ![Elevating Product Engineering with AI and ML](https://blog.e-zest.com/hubfs/Elevating%20Product%20Engineering%20with%20AI%20and%20ML.jpg) [BLOGS](https://blog.e-zest.com) #### Elevating Product Engineering with AI and ML As technology evolves and customer choices broaden, there is an increasing ... [Read more](https://blog.e-zest.com/elevating-product-engineering-with-ai-and-ml) - ![e-Zest – An Accion Labs Company gets Recognition as a Contender in the ISG Provider Lens™ Study on Digital Engineering Services 2024](https://blog.e-zest.com/hubfs/e-Zest%20%E2%80%93%20An%20Accion%20Labs%20Company%20-%20Gets%20Recognition%20as%20a%20Contender%20in%20the%20ISG%20Provider%20LensTM%20Study%20on%20Digital%20Engineering%20Services%202024.jpg) [NEWS](https://blog.e-zest.com/news) #### e-Zest – An Accion Labs Company gets Recognition as a Contender in the ISG Provider Lens™ Study on Digital Engineering Services 2024 We are delighted to announce that e-Zest – An Accion Labs Company has been ... [Read more](https://blog.e-zest.com/news/e-zest-an-accion-labs-company-gets-recognition-as-a-contender-in-the-isg-provider-lens-study-on-digital-engineering-services-2024) - ![e-Zest Solutions supports Digital Pune Mission](https://blog.e-zest.com/hubfs/blog-files/Digital%20Literacy%20Bus%20e-Zest.png) [CSR](https://blog.e-zest.com/csr) #### e-Zest Solutions supports Digital Pune Mission **Pune, India:** e-Zest Solutions, a leading digital technology innovation ... [Read more](https://blog.e-zest.com/csr/e-zest-solutions-supports-digital-pune-mission) - [Work](https://www.e-zest.com/our-work) - [Services](https://www.e-zest.com/our-services) - [Insights](https://blog.e-zest.com) - [Careers](https://www.e-zest.com/careers) - [Enterprise Data](https://www.e-zest.com/enterprise-data-services) - [Generative AI](https://www.e-zest.com/generative-ai) - [Innovations](https://www.e-zest.com/innovations) - [Healthcare](https://healthcare.e-zest.com) - [About](https://www.e-zest.com/about-us) - [Contact](https://www.e-zest.com/contact-us) - [Blog](https://blog.e-zest.com/) - [News](https://blog.e-zest.com/news) - [CSR](https://blog.e-zest.com/csr) - [![Linkedin Icon](https://blog.e-zest.com/hubfs/icons/linkedin_icon_white.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/e-zest-solutions/) - [![Twitter Icon](https://blog.e-zest.com/hubfs/twitter-logo-silhouette%20(5).svg)](https://twitter.com/ezest) - [![Facebook Icon](https://blog.e-zest.com/hubfs/facebook-app-logo%20(4).svg)](https://www.facebook.com/61259256638) - [![Instagram Icon](https://blog.e-zest.com/hubfs/instagram-logo%20(4).svg)](https://www.instagram.com/ezestsolutions/) - [![Youtube Icon](https://blog.e-zest.com/hubfs/icons/youtube_icon_white.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/user/ezestcorporate) [![Go to top icon](https://blog.e-zest.com/hubfs/AA%20Assets/top%20button.svg)](https://blog.e-zest.com/leadership-and-the-pandemic#top) Hit enter to search or ESC to close Insights e-Zest members share technology ideas to foster digital transformation. - [Blog](https://blog.e-zest.com) - [News](https://blog.e-zest.com/news) - [Podcasts](https://www.e-zest.com/podcasts) - [Healthcare](https://blog.e-zest.com/healthcare) - [CSR](https://blog.e-zest.com/csr) - [Whitepaper](https://blog.e-zest.com/whitepaper) - [Playbook](https://blog.e-zest.com/playbook) - [Media Kit](https://www.e-zest.com/media-kit) # Leadership and the Pandemic [Devendra Deshmukh](https://blog.e-zest.com/author/devendra-deshmukh) May 26, 2021 [Digital Transformation](https://blog.e-zest.com/topic/digital-transformation) [Zest For Life](https://blog.e-zest.com/topic/zest-for-life) [Digital Innovation](https://blog.e-zest.com/topic/digital-innovation) [Value Creation](https://blog.e-zest.com/topic/value-creation) [Ownership](https://blog.e-zest.com/topic/ownership) [Digital Technology](https://blog.e-zest.com/topic/digital-technology) [Business Continuity](https://blog.e-zest.com/topic/business-continuity) [COVID-19](https://blog.e-zest.com/topic/covid-19) [Pandemic](https://blog.e-zest.com/topic/pandemic) [Leadership](https://blog.e-zest.com/topic/leadership) [Innovative Thinking](https://blog.e-zest.com/topic/innovative-thinking) [Learning Attitude](https://blog.e-zest.com/topic/learning-attitude) [Team Work](https://blog.e-zest.com/topic/team-work) - - - - The world as we know it is slowly inching towards a pre-COVID-19 normal. Vaccination drives are helping turn the tide, and many countries are now lifting restrictions and lockdowns to allow movement and give their citizens some much needed relief. However, despite the positive changes happening worldwide, a large part of the pandemic stress remains. We have colleagues who have come face-to-face with the virus, some lost family members, and some close friends all amidst us continuing to work remotely. *There’s no “playbook” for leadership when the stakes are high, and there is certainly no playbook for what to do in the face of a 21st Century pandemic.* The need of the hour is smart, value-driven leadership. At e-Zest, what has helped us most is our belief and commitment to our values. Here is a quick overview of what has helped that may be of interest to you as well. Create an Ownership Mindset – The current working environment is definitely not one that most of us are used to, and it is time for leaders to help each team member manage this change. While remote working and work from home are set to continue, leaders need to infuse their teams with an ownership mindset. Ownership mindset enables each team member to be responsible for their role and tasks and is the primary value that can help create future leaders in the organization. It may also be time for leaders to take a step back and allow their team members to take on additional tasks, enabling them to manage their own work rather than having a manager continuously monitor their tasks. With the right balance of freedom, trust and encouragement, ownership is the value that can enable self-empowered and self-managed teams. Encourage Learning – As we are increasingly embracing a digital future, our teams need to grow and learn to work with new technologies and processes. As described by Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, "leaders must shift from a 'know-it-all' to 'learn-it-all' mindset." To encourage a learning attitude, organizations must promote internal upskilling and reskilling initiatives to help every team member build their own career in their chosen niche. Organizations can create a reward system for team members taking up new roles or taking up additional certifications in their desired position. Most importantly, create a platform for them to showcase their talents and share their knowledge with others through interactive sessions, webinars, or other avenues for collaborative learning. Innovative Thinking – To truly embrace and adapt to changing times, we need to create an innovative mindset. Innovative minds are more likely to be committed to change and will see it more as a challenge or an opportunity rather than view it as an obstacle. Leadership should help teams embrace innovation and invention by allowing team members to explore unchartered territories and encourage them to learn from these experiences if things go wrong. Innovation is not about being right or wrong; it is all about breaking out of your mold and identifying new opportunities for success. Value Creation – Value Creation is not just a core value but a recipe for growth and success. Often, leaders and their teams are too focused on delivery and the end results without asking if the solution being developed provides any value to the end-user. Value creation requires us to leverage our expertise to enable our customers to gain services or products that are truly valuable and build long-term partnerships. Humanize your brand by focusing on value creation rather than delivery and communicating the same to your team. Zest for Life – Finally, there is a life beyond work, which many of us often overlook. Leaders are often too engrossed in their challenges and work-life, creating a perception that team members need to follow suit. Leaders need to create a value that encourages their team to stay humane and fully live their lives. Allow your teams to unwind and take part in activities that help them destress from work. People who are passionate about life can do a lot more in life with the same amount of time, and it is as a leader that we need to define the rules. Ensure employees know when to take a pause so that they can come back the next day or the next week refreshed and renewed! [These core values define the spirit of e-Zest](https://www.e-zest.com/our-values) and have helped us shape the organization that we are today. Disruptive events such as the COVID-19 pandemic can undoubtedly be difficult to mitigate. But with the right focus, empathy, flexibility, openness in communication and technology advantage, we have the power to create changes in our processes and practices to help our teams even in these stressful circumstances. Leaders and their teams must continue to find ways to keep each other engaged and focus on their core mission, as it is our ability to cope with uncertainty and keep pursuing our mission that propels organizational success. - - - ### Similar Blog [![Elevating Product Engineering with AI and ML](https://blog.e-zest.com/hubfs/Elevating%20Product%20Engineering%20with%20AI%20and%20ML.jpg) Elevating Product Engineering with AI and ML As technology evolves and customer choices broaden, there is an increasing expectation for companies to not only deliver quality ... By Devendra Deshmukh Jul 10, 2024](https://blog.e-zest.com/elevating-product-engineering-with-ai-and-ml) [![How RAG-powered LLMs are Redefining Business Operations](https://blog.e-zest.com/hubfs/v1_Advancing-LLMs-with-RAG-for-Businesses_blog_image_2x.jpg) How RAG-powered LLMs are Redefining Business Operations Large Language Models (LLMs) like GPT process input text and generate output in a single step, based on the data it was trained ... By Harshal Gotmare Jun 24, 2024](https://blog.e-zest.com/how-rag-powered-llms-are-redefining-business-operations) [![Accelerating Data-driven Transformation: The Path to Enterprise Modernization](https://blog.e-zest.com/hubfs/v3_Accelerating-Data-Driven-Transformation--The-Path-to-Enterprise-Modernization_blog_image_2x-1.jpg) Accelerating Data-driven Transformation: The Path to Enterprise Modernization Today, as enterprises stand at the precipice of a new era defined by the convergence of technology and data-driven insights, ... By Devendra Deshmukh Jun 19, 2024](https://blog.e-zest.com/accelerating-data-driven-transformation-the-path-to-enterprise-modernization) [![Reimagining Customer Experience with Emerging Technologies](https://blog.e-zest.com/hubfs/blog-files/Newsletter/2024/Feb%202024.jpg) Reimagining Customer Experience with Emerging Technologies The advent of digital technologies has sparked a paradigm shift in how businesses operate and how consumers interact with brands. ... By Devendra Deshmukh Feb 22, 2024](https://blog.e-zest.com/reimagining-customer-experience-with-emerging-technologies) [![Navigating the Digital Frontier & Embracing Change](https://blog.e-zest.com/hubfs/Blog_Files/v2_december_blog_2x_2560x1334-2%202.jpg)](https://blog.e-zest.com/navigating-the-digital-frontier-embracing-change) [Navigating the Digital Frontier & Embracing Change](https://blog.e-zest.com/navigating-the-digital-frontier-embracing-change) [2023 witnessed rapid advancements in](https://blog.e-zest.com/navigating-the-digital-frontier-embracing-change)[Artificial Intelligence (AI)](https://blog.e-zest.com/7-ways-ai-is-improving-our-daily-lives) and its influence on diverse industry verticals, transcending ... By Devendra Deshmukh Jan 09, 2024 [![Elevating Product Engineering with AI and ML](https://blog.e-zest.com/hubfs/Elevating%20Product%20Engineering%20with%20AI%20and%20ML.jpg) Elevating Product Engineering with AI and ML As technology evolves and customer choices broaden, there is an increasing expectation for companies to not only deliver quality ... By Devendra Deshmukh Jul 10, 2024](https://blog.e-zest.com/elevating-product-engineering-with-ai-and-ml) [![Accelerating Data-driven Transformation: The Path to Enterprise Modernization](https://blog.e-zest.com/hubfs/v3_Accelerating-Data-Driven-Transformation--The-Path-to-Enterprise-Modernization_blog_image_2x-1.jpg) Accelerating Data-driven Transformation: The Path to Enterprise Modernization Today, as enterprises stand at the precipice of a new era defined by the convergence of technology and data-driven insights, ... By Devendra Deshmukh Jun 19, 2024](https://blog.e-zest.com/accelerating-data-driven-transformation-the-path-to-enterprise-modernization) [![Achieve Business Resilience by Implementing a Digital Twin for your Organization](https://blog.e-zest.com/hubfs/Digital%20Twin.png) Achieve Business Resilience by Implementing a Digital Twin for your Organization There’s a storm brewing in the current market in terms of shifting regulatory landscape, supply chain issues, rise of AI, ... By Devendra Deshmukh May 23, 2024](https://blog.e-zest.com/achieve-business-resilience-by-implementing-a-digital-twin-for-your-organization) [![Code of Ethics for AI Development: Acceleration within Guardrails](https://blog.e-zest.com/hubfs/1280x667.png)](https://blog.e-zest.com/code-of-ethics-for-ai-development-acceleration-within-guardrails) [Code of Ethics for AI Development: Acceleration within Guardrails](https://blog.e-zest.com/code-of-ethics-for-ai-development-acceleration-within-guardrails) [As](https://blog.e-zest.com/code-of-ethics-for-ai-development-acceleration-within-guardrails)[Artificial Intelligence (AI)](https://blog.e-zest.com/7-ways-ai-is-improving-our-daily-lives) continues to permeate various sectors, implementation of robust ethical guardrails becomes ... By Devendra Deshmukh Apr 24, 2024 [![Navigating the Cloudscape: Top 6 Strategies for Successful Cloud Implementation](https://blog.e-zest.com/hubfs/Navigating%20the%20Cloudscape%20Top%206%20Strategies%20for%20Successful%20Cloud%20Implementation_v1-01.jpg) Navigating the Cloudscape: Top 6 Strategies for Successful Cloud Implementation Harnessing the power of the cloud is a strategic imperative for business leaders like us as we are tasked with steering our ... By Devendra Deshmukh Mar 26, 2024](https://blog.e-zest.com/navigating-the-cloudscape-top-6-strategies-for-successful-cloud-implementation) ## Helping Organizations Thrive in the Digital Age [Contact Us](https://www.e-zest.com/contact-us) - [About](https://www.e-zest.com/about-us) - [Services](https://www.e-zest.com/our-services) - [Work](https://www.e-zest.com/our-work) - [Insights](https://blog.e-zest.com/) - [Healthcare](https://healthcare.e-zest.com/) - [Accion Labs](https://www.accionlabs.com/) - - - - - - Dallas - Detroit - Hannover - Vienna - London - Pune © 2025 e-Zest Solutions - [Privacy Policy](https://www.e-zest.com/privacypolicy) - [Cookie Policy](https://www.e-zest.com/cookie-policy) Contact us Contact us e-Zest is a leading digital innovation partner for enterprises and technology companies that utilizes emerging technologies for creating engaging customers experiences. Being a customer-focused and technology-driven company, it always helps clients in crafting holistic business value for their software development efforts. It offers software development and consulting services for cloud computing, enterprise mobility, big data and analytics, user experience and digital commerce.