Leading in prosperous times is undoubtedly simpler, as it feels like success follows every decision, and the organization flourishes. However, the greatest growth as a leader occurs when you navigate through challenging situations.
Every leader will eventually need to steer their team through difficult crises. It’s natural to feel frustrated in tough situations. While it’s acceptable to express your frustrations to a peer outside of your team, ensure that your interactions with your team remain free of anger. Instead, consider following the five A’s for leading effectively under stress and in adversity:
1. Analyze.
Quickly and honestly analyze the circumstances. Strive to truly grasp the core of the issue.
2. Inquire.
To identify the core issue, you must ascertain which questions require asking. Here are some useful inquiries to begin with:
• What are the facts?
• Are we making mistakes?
• Or are we following the right path, and this is simply the outcome?
• Is there a cultural issue? Are we systematically approaching things incorrectly?
• What is the reality?
3. Connect.
When evaluating the situation, connect with individuals at all levels within the organization. In a crisis, it’s easy to limit feedback to just your direct reports. However, those individuals often tell you what they think you want to hear, so it’s vital to engage with a wider array of people. Speak with individuals across the organization to uncover deeper insights about the issue and foster trust.
4. Communicate.
As you gather feedback from the group, it’s vital to communicate clearly the company’s values, the atmosphere you aim to cultivate, and the culture you aspire to develop.
5. Implement.
Merely communicating your intentions is not sufficient. You must also take decisive action. Address the areas that require improvement. If aspects of the culture need refinement or enhancement, tackle those issues head-on.
