Sailing the High Seas of Leadership in Turbulent Times
June 20, 2010
Leadership in prosperous times is difficult enough. Leadership in recession, recovering economy or whatever you want to call the 2009 thru 2010(and 2011? 2012?) period is even more challenging and stressful. To some, the present offers untested opportunities and challenges in leading companies, work units, churches, schools or just about every other body, organization or group of people. Although the challenges may look different, feel different and act differently than before, leadership is needed more now than ever. The leadership of our fathers is different than the leadership today in some aspects. In other areas, leadership practices of yesterday, tried and true, and yes even tired, are just as much a key part of the economic recovery in the U.S. as they have ever been—perhaps even more so.
The five things that leadership experts revert to during challenging times
1. Planning and preparation-critical analysis of where you are today. Identify strengths and weaknesses. Followed by a gut-wrenching decision about where you want to be in a year, two years and so on, and how to get there. Do you have the right players on your team?
2. Strategy-Once you have determined a new direction and the strategy you and your team need to be successful, it is incumbent of successful leaders of today to articulate this in detail to every member of your team, your providers, your suppliers, inside and outside the company. They all must know where you are going and why, and what it takes to get there and how will you know when you get there? Each must understand his/her role and their relationship to other team members.
3. Execution-Some call this the execution phase. Put the right players in the right roles, incent them, complete with real and visible metrics—and stand back, get out of the way and let your team lead the way. Hold team mates accountable. Expect bumps and bruises, road blocks, obstacles (either real or perceived), naysayers and neer- do-wells. Excise non players and find something else for them-either inside or outside the team. Help others when they are down. Create an “I’ve got your back” environment. Build trust inside the team and outside. Walk the talk. Nobody wants to follow a leader if he/she doesn’t “walk a mile in my moccasins”. Mentor and delegate ferociously.
4. Recognition-celebrate success often-big and small. Report key success factors religiously. Post key metrics visibly and regularly. Remember: 1001 ways to reward your team.
While the U.S. is in the worst recession we have known for decades, there are a thousand and one points of light. Taking the leadership challenge by the horns and following the afore-mentioned actions will help ensure your continued success. You’ll feel better for it; and your team will have lifelong memories of the “battle that was”.
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