Right Fit Leading: Searching for a Mask Wearing Plan

Scientists, health professionals, and key leaders across the Nation are searching for answers to acceptance or rejection of mask wearing as we address the COVID-19 Pandemic.  Science tells us that the environment is physically and psychologically improved because of wearing masks to protect ourselves and those with whom we come in contact.  Statistics have consistently shown that mask wearing, along with other measures like hand washing and social distancing, slows the spread of the disease.

In a preliminary survey addressing this issue, @LeslieKrohn and I analyzed organizational views from employees and from top and middle managers.  We are trying to understand whether organizations have made decisions to mandate or encourage mask wearing via an institutional pact/pledge/commitment, and the rationale and enforcement of that decision.

Our initial findings are:

• 60% of organizations have created some kind of Health Pact, Pledge, or Commitment
• By a 2:1 margin, what organizations have created is applicable to everyone, not just employees
• 2/3 of the organizations have made their Health Pact, Pledge, or Commitment mandatory
• Typical measures of enforcement include temperature scans, internal communications, and/or peer pressure
• There appears to be truly little understanding of what drives people to opt out of mask wearing
• Most communicators responsible for rolling out these types of programs believe in wearing masks to slow the potential spread of COVID-19

Leslie and I will use what we have learned to try to help organizations address these issues.  In our view, the keys going forward are the need to:

1. Create a formal or organizationally sanctioned program, such as a Health Pact
2. Foster an understanding of the pros and cons of motivation for the target audience
3. Establish a culture of self-motivation and/or enforcement to face covering policies
4. Communicating and gaining buy in throughout the organization

We welcome your thoughts on this important topic.