I was inspired to write this entry based on an article I read on FastCompany.com by expert blogger Cali Yost entitled “Perseverance and Resilience – Lessons from a Funeral on What Matters Today.”   She was inspired to write her entry based on her experience attending a funeral that celebrated the life of an amazing man who lived a life of great integrity.  While I encourage you to read her complete entry – I want to share the two powerful understandings that arose from her experience:

1. In hard times, it’s imperative to keep moving forward no matter how difficult the circumstances because they will turn around.
2. In good times, no matter how successful you are, all that really matters is your integrity, your family and friends, and helping each other¹.

Cali’s article got me thinking about what leaders in organizations must remain aware of during times of crisis.  Right now, the top of mind for every executive as well as most Americans is the current state of the economy.  For good reason, many are raising the flag of caution and are rigorously examining the risks they are willing to take before acting.  Yet, there is also an undercurrent of fear that is being felt by many – including many who are likely working in your organization.  While it is natural for human beings to feel the undercurrent of fear and react to it – fear has little or no redeeming value because it steals productive energy and shifts our focus in the wrong direction – towards what we have no control over.  Leaders can help to shift the focus forward while maintaining an understanding that these are not the best of times.

More than any other time – this is a time for leadership.  The qualities people are looking for from their leaders at such times are:

• Clarity of Focus
• Certainty
• Honesty
• Inspiration

As an executive you need to be clear and maintain your focus around what is most important and what you are aiming to create.   There is no more important time to communicate your vision and reconnect your people to the mission of the organization than during these times.   You want to tap into your own confidence and maintain a longer-term perspective for the organization so that everyone keeps moving forward with you.  When you communicate like this with your team it will help to bring people back to center.  At the same time, people also want you to be honest and admit the challenges the organization may be facing.  There must be a balance between being upbeat and acknowledging the current realities.  Finally, you want to help others find their own center and challenge them to focus on what they can have impact over. By staying present to this and focusing on forwarding what they care most about and what they can have impact on – they will experience meaning and progress which will mute the fear and enhance performance.

It is also important to realize that while the stability of your organization is essential to long-term success there are also profound opportunities that can emerge during tough times.  In addition, it is at times like these that greatest growth in leadership can occur – in you and those around you.

In summary, below are actions masterful leaders consider during challenging times:

• First, take time to consider how you might be personally reacting to the current situation. If you are honest with yourself – you may be feeling some level fear and worry. If this is the case – take some time to personally refocus yourself around your personal purpose as well as what you most want to generate over time. Also, while times may be rough remember what you are grateful for. This is not about being Pollyanna – you certainly need to be honest about the challenges yet vision and passion drives leadership – not obstacles and fear. In short, make it a daily practice to reconnect to what you care most deeply about.
• Reconnect to your organization’s primary mission and reassess existing priorities so that you remain focused on those things that will have the most impact while considering tabling priorities that are less important, more risky, or too costly at this time. The goal is to remain strategic while possibly narrowing the range of risks so you are prudent – not reactive or frozen. Remai honest and aware while keeping your focus forward and reconnecting to your resolution.
• Take time to consider how you want to communicate to your team about how the current state of affairs impacts the organization and the vision. Again, there must be a balance between clarity of direction, certainty you will get through the challenges as well as honesty about the current realities.
• Increase the amount of your communication to your people and make sure you and your directs are engaging people around their fears and worries so that you can coach them to have a more positive focus.
• Ask your team and/or people to assist you in moving forward and uncovering opportunities while looking for ways to remain secure.

As Cali surprisingly discovered from attending a funeral – death and a life well led provides insights in how we embrace and maximize the value we bring to each day – even in the worst of times.

This entry was posted on Monday, October 13th, 2008 at 7:33 pm and is filed under Executive Engagement. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.