Leading During Tough Times

When I look back on my career, I can definitely say that today’s workplace is definitely more extreme than in years past.  Market changes, increased demands, change management requirements and just trying to keep up your overall direction; makes a leaders job difficult. How that leader reacts to these demands is extremely telling about how effective that leader is. When I am training new managers – I always highlight that how a leader reacts during tough times is very telling. Remember that all eyes are looking at the leader!  Composure is reflected in you attitude, actions and overall presence. As leaders you have to not only focus on elevating performance and development of your team, but we can not forget about making the workplace and your team feel safe and secure. Uncertainty and fear are the biggest down fall that goes unnoticed.

I have been lucky enough to work with many folks that are role models in keeping their composure in the toughest of times. I have also had the unlucky pleasure of working around folks that just lacked composure. No matter how much experience a leader has or how many times they have faced adversity – their reaction to those situations are very telling.

When a crisis or tense situation arises you need to remember a few key items to make sure you are an effective leader…

• Don’t allow you emotions get the best of you. Seasoned leaders really don’t wear their emotions on their sleeves. They make sure to remain calm and not run around yelling and pointing fingers. When you act that way – your team really sees that you lack objectivity in the heat of battle.
• Don’t take things personally. Everything is really not about you! There are more people in the organization. I is not in TEAM! As the leader, you must remind calm and don’t get defensive.
• Keep a positive mental state. Negativity really does not have a play in anything. Being negative is a huge lack of understanding. Getting to the end state needs positive reinforcement and an upbeat attitude to get to the goal.
• Act like you been there before. This probably is not the first time that you have been in crisis mode. I definitely know it will not be your last. You must show the confidence that you and your team will get through this.

My experiences have proven to me, that you will have tough times. You will have to lead your team during these times. Put your best foot forward, no matter how serious the situation is. A misstep in the beginning of those tough times, will be the lasting expression that you, as the leader, will make to your team. I have been on teams that have fallen apart, due to a poor leaders actions (or inactions)! I have been on teams that have grown stronger from a great leaders actions (or inactions)! Which team do you want to have?