Getting Through the Storm – 4 Essential Acts of Leadership
Reading time: 3 mins
In 2008/9 another great storm was blowing – the Global Financial Crisis.
I was working with Jim Collins on an event we were hosting in South Africa.
Collins had just released his newest book, How The Mighty Fall.
We wanted to use this content to help South African business leaders. To prepare them for the actions they had to take to get through the crisis.
Collins challenged us with a question. “What can you do and what must you do to not waste the opportunities presented by this time of crisis.”
It’s the same question facing us today.
COVID 19 has changed everything. Many businesses are in grave danger. Caught off guard by severe and rapid change. Threatened by big forces acting out of our control.
Every business is vulnerable. There is no law of nature to protect you.
The statistics are clear. They tell us more organisations end up irrelevant in the long run than successful.
Who would ever choose to be irrelevant?
Collins concluded there are 3 types of enterprises when they enter a time of storm.
- Category Ones: Strong going in. Able to take advantage of opportunities because they are strong and uniquely positioned.
- Category Two’s: Not as strong as they would like. They can take advantage of opportunities but it’s limited. They also have to protect themselves. Making sure they don’t fall and ultimately fail.
- Category Three’s: Weak when the crisis hits. There’s only 1 priority – SURVIVAL.
Which are you?
Which of these 3 categories do you fall into? How will you respond to get through the storm?
Most organisations fall into Category Two.
Not as strong as you would like to be.
Your response is a combination of defense and offense. You have to protect. To defend. Here it’s about costs, operational efficiency and cash.
Essential acts of preservation.
But only to defend, risks becoming withdrawn.
Inward looking. Even becoming paralysed. Inviting inaction. Uncertainty, anxiety, and fear can get inside you. It can demoralize you.
It’s not only what must you do but, what can you do.
Can-do puts you on the front foot … back in control.
Can do exercises your leadership to get you going again. It gets you looking out into the world asking; “how can we be relevant at this time of crisis?”
This unlocks your creative energy and directs it to a purpose. It places you on the cusp of a breakthrough. To make a potential leap forward to finding the opportunity in the crisis.
However you respond, there are 4 leadership opportunities not to be missed right now.
The opportunity to:
- Bind your team tightly together … with special emphasis on deepening vulnerability-based trust. Use this time to unify, remove personal reservations and to face outward together.
- Create clarity. Get clear on how you can be relevant to the world right now. Create a temporary rallying cry, just for this time. Do this by answering the question: “How do we want our business to be different 3 months from now? “
- Over-communicate. Share the rallying cry widely. Mobilise your organisation through communication and action. Give people meaningful roles. Get them involved in creating the future.
- Set new meeting rhythms. Meetings are more important than ever before. Concentrate on the task. But also embrace the humanity and emotion of your people. Behind every screen is a person. A human being, struggling to master their own fears and uncertainties.
In normal times we refer to these as the 4 disciplines of organisational health.
In the time of the storm, we call them the 4 Essential Acts of Leadership.
Acts to build hope and confidence … to build the belief that we will be OK. And, that possibly, we will even use this time to build something that is new and outstanding.
Decline, Collins concludes, is largely self-inflicted.
We are not imprisoned by our circumstances.
Be the company that emerges stronger …
We love hearing from you. Please comment on the post below.
In case you missed last month’s post, “10 Powerful Questions for Senior Leaders” please click here.
Great insights thanks Grant, yes and turbulent times certainly call for outstanding leadership.
Hi Debbie. It’s lovely to hear from you. Trust you are keeping well in Dubai. Best wishes. Grant
(Another) great post, Grant, thank you, and for sharing these four very practical, do-able leadership opportunities we can action right now!
Well done.
Thanks Lorne. I appreciate your comments. Best. Grant
Thanks for sharing Grant….tough times like this bring out the best in a good leader….this posting will help them add more value….stay safe, stay home, and remain positive
Thank you Clive. Your comments are greatly appreciated. I’m glad you found this post valuable at this time. Best. Grant
Grant! You always manage to deliver timely, thoughtful and useful commentary! Thanks!
Thank you Brad. It’s lovely to hear from you. Thinking of you in the UK. Best wishes and take care. Grant
Hi Grant,
Thanks for such a relevant article in today’s chaotic world.
Stay safe and well,
Dale.
Hi Dale. It’s lovely to hear from you. Thank you for your comments. I’m so glad you found the post relevant. Take care. Grant
Cheers Grant
A great insight in these turbulent times for all businesses.
Definitely a time for leaders to build and strengthen the foundations for what lies ahead.
Stay healthy
Harry
Thanks Harry. So appreciate your comments.
Take care. Grant
Thanks for your insights Grant. It’s what i needed to hear right now.
Hi Philip. It’s lovely to hear from you again. Thank you for your comments. I’m glad the post was helpful at this time. Grant
Clear and straightforward as always. Good to read you Grant!
Stay safe
Best regards to you and your family
Steven
Thank you Steven. Best wishes to you in beautiful Belgium. Take care. Grant