How to Lead in Times of Crisis?

Times of crisis need one important element, leadership. As I write there is turmoil with ongoing and repetitive events happening around the world. Take for example the horrific events surrounding the death of George Floyd, China arresting key protesters speaking up for public rights, environmental issues or the divided world. Wherever you look there seems to be something going wrong, there seems to be crisis. Now, more than ever, leadership is required, and there are three essential behaviours that leaders must exhibit.

Listen passionately and empathetically

Simon Sinek, the brilliant leadership speaker, reminds us of a story from Nelson Mandela. Sinek tells us how, when asked ‘how did he learn to be a great leader?’, Nelson Mandela said that when he used to attend his Tribal Chief father’s Tribal Meeting, one of the key things he learnt was that his father was always the last to speak. This was something Nelson Mandela adopted. This powerful story demonstrates that even someone regarded as one of the World’s greatest leaders acknowledges that he did not know it all. As discussed earlier, as one element of adaptability, listening is a key element in gathering information for decision making. Leaders acknowledge that they do not know it all. They work with smarter people and people who are more closely linked to the issues, leaders listen to those people and then make the decisions.

When we change our behaviours and start listening, a powerful shift happens in the people who we are trying to lead. When people have an opportunity to voice their opinion and feel like their ideas are being listened to, they feel valued. We all have an innate desire to feel valued, to feel needed and want to have worth. Sigmund Freud (1856-1939), a leader in psychoanalysis who uncovered methods to make the unconscious conscious, calls this “people’s desire to feel great.” Dale Carnegie (1888-1955), a motivational life changer and writer, calls this the “feeling of importance.” On a side note, Dale Carnegie is someone whose knowledge and value has had a huge influence on my life. When people feel valued they are more committed to the person who sees value in them. They are more motivated to do things for that person. They want to and believe in that person as their leader.

In times of crisis, powerful listening can bring spark the ideas required to overcome the issue and more forward.

Action is a must

For decades, when there is crisis and panic, the world looks to the President of the United States. The world wants to know what the greatest superpower will decide to say and do. Barack Obama, the 44^th President of the United States and arguably one of the greatest leaders of modern times, demonstrated how to do this with grace and poise. The public also rated him highly in comparison with other recent presidents. A Quinnipiac University poll released in late January 2017 found that 29 percent said he was the greatest president since World War II, just one point behind Ronald Reagan. Mark Bowden, in his book ‘The Finish’, in which he has access to Obama to understand the complex story of how SEAL Team Six was sent in to Pakistan to kill Osama Bin Laden, explains of an extremely tough decision which Obama had to make. “This is fifty-fifty” said Obama, speaking to his administration on whether the evidence they had on Bin Laden’s location. According to Bowen, the confidence of the evidence ranged from 10% to 95%. Hardly an easy decision to make. Even after a key figures of the administration, the Vice President Joe Biden, suggested that failure would mean Obama losing his second term as President, Obama had to make a call. In the midst of confusion, lack of information and intense pressure, Obama made the call. He provided clear and concise direction to provide guidance and instruction.

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Taking actions is done by making decisions which make an impact. This will build trust between all parties involved. Impact less decisions are seen as time wasting and actions which try to cover the cracks without making any real and lasting change. In order to move forward together leaders must take action and make decisions which have an impact.

One vision and unity

I once worked on a huge project worth hundreds of millions of pounds. The project was falling into disarray as tensions grew with the client, staff turnover was like nothing I’d ever seen and morale was at an all-time low. Money was lost, pain was felt and mistakes were made, but we did recover. This was done through realigning the entire projects vision to work together to achieve one goal and only one goal. Through listening to issues, taking action and creating one vision the project was turned around.

Simply put, a strong aligned vision comes from people understanding and believing in a leader’s why, how to get there and what they need to do to get there. This one vision approach required clear and concise communication to bring people together and more forward towards a positive future.

Real life application

Let’s look at a real life modern example of this. On 3^rd June 2020 Barrack Obama address his nation and spoke out regarding the horrific events of George Floyd’s death in America and the protests which followed afterwards.

In the first 2-3 minutes of his 15 minute address Obama showed empathy towards all those who are impact by the events that occur in the week leading up to his address. In the first 5 minutes he said, “when he feels despair he sees the young people around the country”. He said to [the people of colour in America], “You matter. Your lives matter”. He appealed to the people’s desire to be heard, he listened and displayed empathy. Also, take for example the Law Enforcement who walked with the protestors peaceful and in unity. Those officers listened and displayed empathy.

After the tragic death of Michael Brown, Obama said that he created a task force to develop policies for the 21^st century to reform the current policing system. Obama did not have to speak out, but as such a senior political figure, he did. In tough times Obama often has spoken out. This shows the willing to make an impact which builds trust.

Obama spoke clearly and concisely when he discussed reforms that are required and appealed directly to those who can make a difference by urging all mayors to review police reforms and make a positive impact with the community, together. Obama spoke about target zero, a one vision approach to improving the policing in America. Obama went on to explain how the majority of Americans see the protests as justified. This was a call for unity and one vision action to make a positive impact and improve the country.

These behavioural changes really work and can make a difference in times of crisis. By adopting them in your life you will be able to make a positive impact too by bringing leadership to your personal development.

Thank you for reading, JT.

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Inspirations

• Simon Sinek, The Power of Why
• Sigmund Freud
• Dale Carnegie
• Mark Bowden, The Finish
• Barrack Obama