COVID-19: Resources

by SIOPA Communications

In these trying times, we all have a part to play in helping our country and society overcome the global pandemic that is COVID-19. The socio-economic impact of this disease can be significant and rapidly-changing. SIOPA aims to develop this page as a resource and directory for individuals, leaders, I/O Psych professionals, and organisations to address the psychological elements of COVID-19, and help set us up for success.

Australian work health and safety regulation authorities have provided information to businesses on protecting workers from the spread of COVID-19. Some jurisdictions have also provided information for leaders and workers on managing mental health during times of uncertainty. You can access specific state or federal work health and safety regulation authority information below:

ARTICLES OF INTEREST

WEBINAR “How can the Field of IO Psychology Practically Support Organisations?” from the New Zealand Institute of Organizational Psychology.

How Industrial-Organisational Psychologists can support organisations to cope during this unprecedented time of turbulence and uncertainty.

“COVID-19 is Humanity’s ‘Finest Hour’” by Dr. Paul Vorster for The Ethics Institute.

An opinion piece exploring ethical behaviour as COVID-19 poses a global threat.

POST COVID-19 TRANSITION

“Develop Agility That Outlasts the Pandemic” by Darrell K. Rigby, Sarah Elk and Steve Berez at Harvard Business Review.

Innovations in response to COVID-19 may not have been part of an organisation’s strategic plan, so how can they maintain their agility once the crisis is over?

“Lead Your Team Into a Post-Pandemic World” by Hubert Joly at Harvard Business Review.

As we transition through different phases of the pandemic, leaders can operate and lead more effectively by dynamically adjusting how they take care of their employees through the unique challenges of each phase.

“The Pandemic Has Exposed the Fallacy of the “Ideal Worker”” by Joan C. Williams at Harvard Business Review.

This articles presents an argument for resculpting workplace ideals so they reflect people’s lives today—not half a century ago.

ORGANISATIONAL SURVIVAL

“Seven tips to help your business survive the COVID-19 crisis” by Neil Morelli and Susan Chu for SIOP.

Several tips for Organisational Psychologists who are ‘solopreneurs’, small business leaders, startup founders, or team leaders dealing with the same dilemmas and decisions that come with the COVID-19 crisis.

“Coronavirus: 10 workplace impacts you might not have considered” by Kate Neilson and Girard Dorney for HRM Online.

HRM spoke to Aaron McEwan, vice president, research and advisory at Gartner to understand ten impacts COVID-19 is having on work that you might not have considered.

“How to strategise business survival in the COVID-19 pandemic” by Jason Talbot for Acuity Magazine.

For many businesses, a pandemic can derail company strategy and cause a range of unforeseen challenges. So how should organisations respond?

LEADING DURING A CRISIS

WEBINAR “Leading Through Times of Crisis” webinar series by the Australian Graduate School of Management (AGSM) at the University of New South Wales Business School.

A webinar series that discusses topics such as, the impact of technology, resilience, thriving and the economic impact of COVID-19.

“Good Leadership Is About Communicating “Why”” by Nancy Duarte at Harvard Business Review.

If we present without addressing our audience’s core questions of what, how, and why, we’ll sow more confusion than we bring clarity. This article presents suggests why we should answer “why”?

“How CEOs Can Lead Selflessly Through a Crisis” by Stefanie K. Johnson at Harvard Business Review.

Article presenting what leaders can do in this time to support their employees and how they can be sure that their giving ‘hits the mark’.

PODCAST: “The Better HR Podcast #2 – Leading through Crisis” with Fel Donatelli for The Better HR Podcast.

Discussion regarding how HR can better understand and support leaders directly, as well provide greater leadership themselves.

➤ “Ten Critical Leadership Steps for Navigating COVID-19” a robust conversation with Emma Grigson and Holly Ransom.

Emma, an ADF veteran of 15 years, Former Health Operations Executive trained in strategic leadership and with experience in disease management, provided pragmatic advice on how leaders might tackle the challenge we are facing today, as well as plan for those we will inevitably face tomorrow.

“Coronavirus (COVID-19): Leadership Resources for Times of Crisis” from the Center for Creative Leadership.

Complimentary, practical resources for leaders on topics of crucial importance including, Leading in Times of Crisis – and Beyond, Building Resilience and Innovation, Change & Adaptability.

“Leading in a Crisis” series by Australia and New Zealand School of Government (ANZSOG).

Exploring crisis management, leadership and communications, this series presents the best research and thinking on crisis leadership as part of ANZSOG’s mission to lift the quality of government in Australia and New Zealand.

“How leaders can maximize trust and minimize stress during the COVID-19 pandemic” by the American Psychological Association.

Psychologists’ research shows how to boost leaders’ communication in times of crisis.

“A Time to Lead with Purpose and Humanity” by Hubert Joly at Harvard Business Review.

At a time where leaders are trying to deal with a crisis in which every day brings new challenges and decisions to make, Hubert provides insights into how one can maintain a human-centred approach.

“Leading The ‘Most Anxious Generation’” by Gaurav Gupta at Forbes.

Whilst anxiety at work may be higher in certain demographics, it exists across all generations and particularly at times of global crisis. Gaurav Gupta shares some examples of what leaders can do to encourage positive anxiety using the latest brain science.

“Why Leaders Need Meditation Now More Than Ever” by Matthias Birk at Harvard Business Review.

Meditation can be of tremendous help to leaders in times of crisis, allowing one to utilise the full capacity of their brain to weigh the options, question assumptions, think innovatively and remain calm.

MAKING BETTER DECISIONS IN A CRISIS

“Slow Down to Make Better Decisions in a Crisis” by Art Markman at Harvard Business Review.

The threat, uncertainty, and anxiety experienced as a result of COVID-19 may lead us to make short-sighted decisions, however Art Markman presents reasoning as to why we should slow down decision-making and move toward deliberative reasoning.

“The Art Of Making Tough Decisions In A Crisis” by Paula Davis-Laack at Forbes.

Presents multiple models to provide organisations with some framework or structure for reaching the best decision you can make with the information at hand.

➤“Decision Making During a Crisis: A practical guide” by the Australian Government.

A self-audit tool which allows an organisation to reflect on their decision making capability under crisis conditions.

DESIGNING AND ENRICHING WORK FROM HOME

“Don’t Let Teamwork Get in the Way of Agility” by Elaine Pulakos and Robert B. (Rob) Kaiser at Harvard Business Review.

The article presents the concept of ‘rightsizing’ for teamwork that will lead to a greater chance of success and three evidence-based practices to facilitate this.

“Future Competences – Competences for New Ways of Working” by Johan Lönnblad and Matti Vartiainen.

This report focuses on identifying the competences of the future required by new ways of working.

“Responding to the Coronavirus” from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.

Guides, reports, webinars and tools to support employers and people professionals in their response to COVID-19.

➤“Thrive at Work at Home series” led by ARC Laureate Professor Sharon Parker from the Future of Work Institute.

Practical tips to support you being productive and mentally healthy when working from home, and to guide those of you who are managing others working from home.

“Working From Home? Then It’s Time To Get Real!” by psychologist and CEO of Remotestar Consulting, Dr Bailey Bosch.

“A Guide for Working (From Home) Parents” by Avni Patel Thompson, founder and CEO of Modern Village.

For many employees, the past few weeks may be the first time they’ve logged on remotely, conducted meetings online and navigated distractions from home to maintain productivity. This, coupled with families and children at home, is not a normal set of circumstances and may prove challenging. Dr Bailey Bosch and Avni Patel Thompson share tips and suggestions to facilitate success when working from home.

THRIVING IN TIMES OF UNCERTAINTY

“Coping Strategies for COVID#19” a conversation with Dawn O’Neil AM and Holly Ransom.

Exploration of whether COVID-19 is exacerbating or simply revealing mental health issues? Dawn distilled over 20 years’ experience leading community mental health into a few hard-hitting points.

“The psychological impact of quarantine and how to reduce it: Rapid review of the evidence” by Samantha K Brooks, et al.

A review of the psychological impact of quarantine using three electronic databases to inform quarantine procedures based on the best available evidence.

PODCAST: “Speaking of Psychology: Coping with Financial Anxiety During COVID-19” with Brad Klontz, PsyD, CFP.

A financial psychologist and certified financial planner, Dr Brad Klontz talks about how we can work against our worst financial instincts while our lives are so chaotic.

PODCAST: “Speaking of Psychology: Coronavirus Anxiety” with Baruch Fischhoff, PhD.

Explanation of why we worry about new risks more than familiar ones, how to calm our anxiety and what are the psychological effects of being quarantined.

“Seven crucial research findings that can help people deal with COVID-19” by the American Psychological Association.

While the new pandemic is unique in many ways, there are lessons to be learned from a significant body of literature on the psychological and behavioral health responses and consequences of disaster events.

“Managing Stress During COVID-19: The Dark Side of Personality” by Gordon Curphy, PhD and Dianne Nilsen, PhD.

Given that crises tend to bring out the best and the worst in people, this article explores dysfunctional behaviours associated with ‘dark side’ personality traits.

“Mental health and psychosocial considerations during the COVID-19 outbreak” by the WHO Department of Mental Health and Substance Use.

A series of messages that can be used in communications to support mental and psychosocial well-being in different target groups during the outbreak.

“Living with worry and anxiety amidst global uncertainty” by clinical psychologists Dr Matthew Whalley and Dr Hardeep Kaur.

A mixture of psychoeducation about normal and excessive worry, normalisation, and a selection of practical exercises that you, your clients, or anyone can use to manage worry and maintain well-being in these uncertain times.

Members-Only Resources

SIOPA Members can also access additional resources at the members-only page here.

Not a SIOPA Member? You’re welcome to sign up here.

We are always on the lookout for relevant and insightful resources that will benefit SIOPA Members and I/O Psychologists and professionals.

If you have resources you would like to share with us, please email communications@siopa.org.au.