How will you lead in challenging times?
Wow. A lot is going on. This last week has been a stunner.
I don't know of anyone who isn't a little concerned - about every area of their lives. The best advice I can give anyone is to breathe. Learning to breathe in any stressful situation is good. Oxygen gives the brain a fresh perspective.
I won't repeat the bad news - there's enough of that going on. What I will do is tell you a little bit about what I think every organizational leader - at every level - formal or informal - might wish to be thinking about now.
Think about building psychological capital (like hope and optimism,) resilience and increasing your positive capacity - the ability to create positive emotion.
The evidence is overwhelming. Positive emotion produces well being in the body. It produces increased immune function, cardiovascular health, and a bucketload of healthy hormones - like endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine. It even improves brain function, helping us to solve problems quicker and be more creative.
Mindful of the power of positive emotions, leaders can be deliberate in their language and stay away from the drama of repeating the bad news the media is drumming into our heads. When fear takes over people get sick.
Over 400 hundred studies have been done on people working incompanies that are going through difficult times. They found that people who come through change in business (and life) with the least amount of difficulty and illness are those who have insulated themselves with a particular kind of attitude.
If there was ever a time to adopt an attitude - I'd say now is the time!
The way we think about and "frame" adversity is important. It's just as important as the things we do to keep the business going. The perceptual filters we use, the perspective we adopt, all matter in how much stress our bodies take on during difficult times. When we feel like a victim of circumstances, we sink into self pity and aren't able to do much to affect positive change.
When we adopt the attitudes of resilience we develop "Hardiness." Hardy people tackle situations differently than people who see themselves as victims. Studies show that hardiness comes as a result of:
Commitment - When you believe your work is important and worthwhile, you stay involved. You keep asking empowering questions like, "What can I do to help people feel a little better today?" or "How can I create some value in this situation?" or even "What is life asking for now?" Committed people speak words of expansion, not contraction. They avoid unproductive behaviors and find healthy outlets for their stress.
Control - The only thing you truly have control over is your own thinking. People who remain healthy even in crisis situations, persist in having a positive influence. They're solution oriented. You can, like them, choose where to apply your efforts, and where to focus your attention. Hardy people know when to gracefully accept what they can't change. During times like this is when I like to use the Serenity Prayer, it's simple and true. "Please grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference." Take control of your own mind today and unhook from the fear that is being spread incessantly. Continue to find something good in whatever situation you encounter. You may have to search, but it's there.
Challenge - The Chinese glyph for "Crisis" contains two characters, one translates as "danger" the other as "opportunity." When you see change as growth, meet your challenges head on and express optimism and not fear, you have embraced the "both/and" concept. You can mobilize your team to meet the challenge when you call on their strengths. Now is the time to discover your strengths and those of the people you work with. Now is the time to focus on the best people can bring and stimulate the nobility that resides in every person.
When you couple these three attitudes with a strong support system - Community - you have a proven formula for weathering the tough times.
People need each other now. You're all in this together. Leaders today have a unique opportunity. Give people a safe place to express their concerns. And then, give them a vision of how you can come through tough times together - learning, sharing, creating value together.
All the best,
JoAnna
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