Bill Nelson

This month's question is:

Last year you made some suggestions on what to do as a leader when things get tough. The information you presented was directed at the areas of Organisation, Leader and Team. Can you expand a little more on what - as a leader' we should be doing in tough times such as these.

To start off with, here is the original post (That does contain some of the information below) that was mentioned in the question above.

And here is my answer as it specifically relates to Leadership - When Things Get Tough:

Be Visible


One of the worst mistakes you can make at a time like this is not to be seen. Now it doesn't really matter why. You can justify this by saying you are in a strategy meeting or you are doing this or that, or you are attending to something urgent.

When things slow down, the people that are with you and around you, want to see and hear their leader every single day and, in most cases, more than once a day.

An unreasonable request? Absolutely not!

Control Outer Emotions And Deal With Inner Emotions
When things slow down and are not going the way you would like, there is usually a corresponding set of emotions that comes into play.

Anguish, nervousness, lack of confidence, anger, frustration, and resentment - all of these and many more are quite common at these times.

The key is to deal with these internal emotions. Get some advice, another perspective, new information; create opportunities and methodology to deal with your inner emotions and make sure you do it away from the scene that is causing them.

Do what you have to do, but make sure you do not just leave these emotions be. Deal with your inner emotions and make sure they do not transform themselves into outer emotions.

You know, the outer emotions that are represented by the snappy reply, the over-reaction to little things, the body language of a stressed individual, and the facial expressions of a worried person.

Silently deal with your inner emotions and outwardly you show the emotion and body language of a leader who knows how to deal with adversity.

Maintain Correct Body Language


Have you been watching the new hit TV series Lie to Me? Well if you have, you will realise that what you are really saying does not necessarily have to come from the spoken word.

That your actions, your facial expressions, you stance, your walk, all of this and whole lot more, will tell the true story of how you are feeling and where your head is at.

Those you lead will at most times, and especially considering where things are currently at, will be carefully and diligently observing your every move to ascertain where you are at so they can gauge to some degree, where they should be.

So be aware of every little thing you do so that the messages you are sending to those you lead will help them get to where they need to be.

Be Relentless In Going Back To The Basics
Whatever you do, don't try and rectify the situation by making the solution look difficult. It is at these times that simplicity is your greatest ally.

Many times a situation will look as though it requires an intricate solution; but in reality, it is the basic steps everyone knows that will usually lead you to where you need to be. Don't fall for the trap of believing that detail and intricacy means success.

Once you have looked at all the basic steps, and you realise that no matter how you look at it, this situation calls for a solution that is a little more intricate, then break it down and make it look basic.

If you can't make it simple then make it easy to understand.

Don't Over React To Adversity


In times of prolonged difficulty it can become very easy to take on the victim mentality. Why does this always happen to me? I don't deserve this? Why cant I get a break? And so on.

It is important at these times to realise two very important concepts:

• The reason things happen is because of something you did, or didn't do

• That no matter how big the problem seems, there will always be a way forward

Now, don't get me wrong, I am not saying that you purposely went out of your way to make this happen, but a lot of times the reason we are in certain situations is because we didn't recognise the signs that told us what was about to happen.

So if and when you get to this point (facing adversity) the sooner you take responsibility for getting there, the sooner you will put yourself in the mindset to over come the obstacle.

But while ever you over act and continue to blame everything or everyone else for where things are at, the longer you will stay in that place. You can only change what you acknowledge.

So don't get drawn into the world of the victim, don't over react. Take time to understand why you are where you are,and when you have take a step back, draw breathe and start devising a plan to move forward.

Go To The Experience That Has Been There Before
Confidence comes from demonstrated ability and what you have done in the past should give you the confidence to take the next step that is required to take both yourself and those you lead forward. Tough times or not.

Einstein said it best "A problem will never be solved thinking at the same level at which it was created." Use your experience of the past to think at a level that will allow you and those around you to over come any problem, to deal with any situation and to move forward with the mindset of being the master of your own destiny.

Just go back and use the knowledge, experience and skill that has served you well in the past to create and even brighter future.

Don't Let Pride Get In The Way Of Making The Right Decisions


Of course when the tough times come, there will be a level of both responsibility and accountability directed your way. That is the way it should be. But don't let you get in the way of the best way to go forward.

Make decisions that are in the best interest of all and not about what is in your best interests. Those that you lead will respect you a whole lot more when they see you put your pride away and make a decision that is there to benefit others.

Communicate More
Keep people informed as to what is going on and why. Continue to let people know what you are doing and why. Remember when the though times come, it brings with it a great deal of uncertainty.

That uncertainty can be about many things:

• Future direction


• Survival strategy


• Security of tenure


• Element and degree of change

It is at these times as a leader you can bring great relief and security to those that you lead. Communication is a great way to clarify direction, alleviate fear and revive and redirect motivation.

Increase Your Exposure To Positive Influences


In the face of adversity it takes a special person to come out the other side and it also takes exceptional people to consistently support that special person as they deal with troubled times.

We all have people around us and at times like these, it is important in the first instance to recognise these exceptional people and second, to use them in an appropriate manner to help you get through the tough times.

It is very common when things get tough to withdraw into ourselves and communicate less and these are two of the worst possible moves we can make.

In tough times you have to increase your exposure to positive influences and not reduce them.

Now, when I say positive influences I am not talking about the people that although they mean well, they just tell you what they think you want to hear.

I mean the positive influences that see the situation the way it is, but through their experience and their understanding of you and what you do, they will give you perspective that will allow you to see the best way forward.

Understand The Position And Thinking Of Those Around You
Tough times bring out all sorts of different thinking, observations, beliefs and actions of people. As a leader it is vitally important that you recognise where each and every person is at when times are tough.

Knowing where they are at is one thing, but knowing why they are at that point is even more important.

Understand their current:

• Beliefs


• Thinking


• Standards


• Actions

Because all of this will allow you to understand where they are currently at, and more importantly, why.

Once you have this type of information, you will be in a far better position to be able to lead them through the adversity and bring them out the other side all the better for the experience.

The Journey Continues!