Having grown up in a lower-middle-class neighborhood with some not-so-easy-life circumstances I learned a crash course in resiliency and toughness. One of my mom’s old adages that still rings in my ear today, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going!” Well the going is tough right now and it’s time for leaders to get going. You were made for this.
Here are 9 leadership principles to help you.
- Start with WHO: Many are asking WHAT they should do right now. Instead, ask WHO you want to be. If it’s a great leader, it gives clarity on WHAT you need to do.
- Capitalize: Bold leaders will seize the opportunity to procure top talent. Four weeks ago the #1 business challenge was talent. It’s there, the winners will capitalize.
- Stay focused: This isn’t the time to reinvent the wheel or go on a scavenger hunt for money. Identify your core competencies and focus on leveraging those.
- Bind and Bond: This experience is hard, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t opportunities for laughter and fun. Pull together and bond, and when you come out of this your team will be unstoppable.
- Reinforce your values: Your Mission and Values were made for this. Remind everyone what those values are and repeat until you are sick of your own voice. Then, do it some more.
- Self-Sacrifice: This isn’t the time for self-preservation. Now is the time to lead by example. This is your chance to ink your leadership legacy.
- Empathize: Take the time to learn the people you lead. Everyone is experiencing this crisis differently and it’s important you take the time to learn how others are being impacted by this professionally and personally.
- Never give up hope: If you can’t be the beam of light your team needs, they may not see any light. Great leaders never stop believing they can be great, and they continue to lead their people toward that same vision, even amidst crisis and uncertainty.
- Don’t forget your family: Leadership starts at home.
The word history is simply “his or her-story.” This is time for leaders to step up and lead and make history. Remember, no test, no testimony. I’d love to hear any great leadership stories out there to inspire us all.