Leadership Tools
Top 7 Leadership Tips for Managing Difficult Times
Top 7 Leadership Tips for Managing Difficult Times…
Did you stick with me through all the leadership tips I provided? Have you applied any of these? Let me know with a comment below. I would love your feedback.
Visit my web page at TheLeadershipResource.com to get the full leadership article.
To empowering passionate leadership in you!
Susan
Leadership Tip 7 for Managing Difficult Times
This is Leadership Tip 7 of 7 Leadership Tips for Managing Difficult Times.
Stay Focused!
One of the most important notions for anyone to embrace is that life is a marathon. Steady, incremental progress will ensure success. Empowered leaders recognize that even an economic downturn is not a signal that the race is over. Instead, it could be viewed as the proverbial “Heartbreak Hill” in the marathon of life. Heartbreak Hill is legendary among distance runners as it is a ½ mile long incline that occurs in the Boston Marathon just after runners pass the 20 mile mark of this epic 26.2 mile event. Even the smallest incline seems insurmountable after completing 20 miles, but in order to finish, Heartbreak Hill must be conquered. Inspired, passionate leaders always encounter their own personal Heartbreak Hill somewhere along their corporate journey. Even with all available outside support, the effort required at that point comes from somewhere deep inside. Passionate, assertive, confident leaders find the wherewithal required to prevail even during the toughest of times. When the light is the dimmest, when the hill is the steepest, the passionate leader will find the warrior within and stay focused on the finish!
Leadership Tip 6 for Managing Difficult Times
This is Leadership Tip 6 of 7 Leadership Tips for Managing Difficult Times.
Be a Sounding Board for Those Airing Grievances, but Re-Direct Their Negativity
A leader who is open, up front, available, accessible and communicative does incur some inherent risk. The honest and forthright leader may become a target for all sorts of negativity during difficult economic times. That should not come as a surprise, as most humans feel compelled to share both good news and bad news in equal measure. But the confident, assertive, and compassionate leader has an almost innate ability to redirect that negative concern into a productive response.
Leadership Tip 5 for Managing Difficult Times
This is Leadership Tip 5 of 7 Leadership Tips for Managing Difficult Times.
Stay Visible (Ostriches Not Welcome)
Some of the darkest times endured during modern history were the days and weeks and years that marked WWII. But Americans’ spirits were buoyed by the regular and frequent communication of then-President Franklin D. Roosevelt. These “fireside chats” as the radio broadcasts came to be called, provided the public with updates and information and they also took comfort from hearing this information straight from the most influential leader on the planet. When darkness prevails, a leader will emerge as the beacon of light.
Leadership Tip 4 for Managing Difficult Times
This is Leadership Tip 4 of 7 Leadership Tips for Managing Difficult Times.
Be Willing to Forego Your Popularity
Adulation is an intoxicating elixir. It is so empowering, that it often masks the symptoms of bad leadership and can make uncovering a problem almost impossible. But popularity should never be mistaken for success. Impassioned leaders almost always enjoy the admiration of those within their sphere of influence, but they never let popularity enter into decision-making. These leaders are willing to give up short-lived success for long-term gain, even if their own popularity suffers, because they recognize the fleeting nature of popularity vs. the sustainability of professional achievement. During an economic downturn, leaders are often tasked with making difficult and unpopular but necessary decisions in order to sustain the viability of a business entity. A modern, compassionate leader will make these decisions confidently and fully cognizant of the immediate impact on the organization. But that same passionate leader will never be guided by short-sighted principles of popularity rather than the strategic visionary plan necessary for sustained success.
Leadership Tip 3 for Managing Difficult Times
This is Leadership Tip 3 of 7 Leadership Tips for Managing Difficult Times.
Be Patient Without Sacrificing Your Will to Succeed
It is a natural human inclination to want to jump off of the perceived “sinking ship” in order to survive. As we see friends, colleagues, and departments leave or be forced out, often our own reaction is to flee as well. However, your patience in hard times may be rewarded with something even better once the storm blows over and prosperity returns. Ancient mariners caught in blustery weather on the open seas would often drop cargo to lighten their load and then trim the sails in order to maintain control of their vessel. Corporate downsizing is a similar type of survival technique. We mere mortals can’t hurry up a storm. The best we can do is batten down our hatches, prepare to weather the storm, and patiently wait for the sky to clear. The good news is that no storm lasts forever, just as no economic slowdown lasts forever. Those patient enough to ride out the economic storm with a cautious and conservative survival plan, will be recognized for their inspired leadership once the fiscal blue skies return.
Leadership Tip 2 for Managing Difficult Times
This is Leadership Tip 2 of 7 Leadership Tips for Managing Difficult Times.
Open Up! – Not Just Your Ears, but Your Heart and Your Mind as well
Most modern companies have found success by constantly tweaking their tried and true methods until they developed the most productive and efficient way to create their deliverable. However, in difficult economic times, companies are often required to become leaner without sacrificing quality. Typically, leaders have been promoted into their roles because of their ability to understand the requirements at that level and implement strategies to maintain the expected growth. During economic downturns, strategic management becomes a critical component for survival. While it is expected that passionate leaders will trust their instincts and judgment, it is also clear that those workers in the “trenches” may be the best untapped resource in any company.
Leadership Tip 1 for Managing Difficult Times
So times are difficult! Your energy level and your commitment maybe wavering between why should I bother and it won’t make a difference anyway. Let me offer 7 Leadership Tips for Managing Difficult Times.
Difficult times are when we can be noticed; when new opportunities can show up without us even asking for them; when we get challenged to step our leadership abilities to a new level. Over the next seven days, I will be presenting one tip a day to get you thinking.
Here is the first one:
Slow Down – but Never Lose Momentum…
Difficult economic times typically result in a tumultuous work environment. There may be belt-tightening that includes layoffs, outsourcing, and the demand for increased efficiency. All of these changes can combine to undermine the productivity of your workforce. Direct reports may begin to lose confidence in the leadership of the organization. Empowered leaders will immediately recognize a need to adapt their pace to the demands facing them. This may require you to put some projects and promotions on a back burner until the economic ship rights itself.
Leadership Development: Downtime
Here I am in beautiful Breckenridge, Colorado. The sun has been shining, the mountains are in the background and I am surrounded by good people. What’s not to like.
It is always fun (and more than necessary) to get out of the ordinary day to day operations. I find it very refreshing to get out of my normal environment – it stretches me to change a routine, to observe things in new places and have conversations with new people.
A little downtime now and again can really rejuvenate me. I can use some quiet time to think – no tv, minimal cell phone conversations and little computer work. It makes for my mind to settle.
The place I am at is called the Entreprenuer’s Retreat. A place for entreprenuers to come and share their ideas and gain new insights. Here is a picture of me out on the deck of this peaceful setting with those Rockie Mountains in the background.
Leadership Development: Taking Ownership
So many naysayers, so much negativity – with the political election campaigns and the uncertainty caused by the recession – it is easy to find yourself dwelling or drowning in all the negativity.
The worry grows from so many questions:
Who will lead our country, the good ole’ USA – can we regain our power?
Who is leading our financial institutions – can we trust our banks, stocks?
To the really personal questions:
What is my company’s management doing – will I have a job?
What do I need to survive – do I have enough savings?
When I am drowning with more work and fewer employees – how do I stay ahead of the game?
Day after day, I speak with employees and managers both who feel the burden of uncertainty and speak of being in a vicious circle, feeling out of control.
