Leadership is dangerous, especially when you're leading in uncertain and difficult times. You’re going to be asking people to move out of their comfort zone and move into an uncertain future.
So, how do we need to lead and stay alive through the danger of leading?
Working Through the Adaptive Challenges
Aside from the technical challenges you’re going to face as a leader, there are complex challenges that you might also be facing as you’re moving through these times. You probably don’t know exactly what’s coming next.
This often requires a broader view of things since you could be dealing with multifaceted problems. So you’re going to have to work hard at it yourself and with your people.
5 Ways to Respond as a Leader During Challenging Times
1. Get on the balcony. As opposed to being on the dance floor and swirling off day-to-day activities, step back to see the whole picture as best you can.
2. Think politically.
Engage with those early adopters to help them get the process started. Take the time to understand where your people are.
3. Orchestrate the conflict.
Moderate the temperature of the organization in times of conflict.
4. Give the work back.
Figure out the balance between your people not feeling abandoned and not feeling micromanaged at the same time.
5. Hold steady.
Don’t be too quick to jump at a solution because a particular problem today might look different tomorrow.
