With everything that has been going on in the world the past week or two, I went back over some of my posts and started to wonder what does leadership in crisis look like. There have been a number of good examples in the past (9/11 and Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Winston Churchill to name a few). Those crisis’ were pretty big compared to most of what we may face in our lives or jobs. What are the simplest ways to insure that you move in the right direction when the next crisis hits?
Here is what stood out to me…
Take a moment or two to truly figure out what is going on. No one likes to stop and spend time thinking in time of crisis. Most people love to get the nervous energy out and jump right into solution space. Early on it is truly chaotic. All eyes will be on the leader… It is really a time to shine and let everyone know that we will be getting together to figure out what is really going on.
Act promptly, not rushed. You as the leader must act in a timely fashion with the direction every thing and person is going. Acting rushed will only truly excite the team and make them nervous. Here is where on of John Wooden’s famous pyramid sayings hits home, “be quick, but do not hurry.”
Manage expectations. Crisis really gets everyone going in all directions. Some folks want the crisis to end quickly. They will do everything in their power to get back to normal. Make sure that you are providing direction and goals for which the team is going to follow. Act calm and insure that everyone is following the right steps to insure that you come out of the crisis with the right speed to insure a safe outcome. No one wants to continue to come out of crisis, just to go right back in.
Demonstrate control. Remember all eyes are on you… Act in the manner that you want your team to act. If you are in control and moving forward, your team will follow your lead. You also control the resources to help the team get thru this. Make sure that you are helping them by providing the resources as needed.
Be flexible and calm. No one likes to have their leader flying of the handle in a crisis. Firm, calm and being flexible in every situation is will help insure that you are moving forward to get out of the crisis the right way. Being flexible enough to understand that you can not sit on that one single strategy. If things are not going well, be flexible to change.
I am not a fan of the leader that rolls up his/her sleeves to help out in the trenches. I like to see the leader insuring that they are providing direction, resources and being calm and flexible to insure that we are going to be okay. We will work thru this and will be stronger for it. Make sure that, as the leader, you are leading instead of doing. The team will do! They always do!
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