It’s easy to lead when times are good, things are going as planned, and you have the best people on your team. But what about when the shit hits the fan? What about when things so sideways? What if you have less than ideal skill level? bad attitudes? Ahhh, now that is when it is a leader’s time to shine and time to grow. When you have to manage with odds stacked against you, when your back is against the wall, when things are hard. Leadership requires a different set of skills.
Leaders decide who they are and no matter the circumstance, they lean on their values to guide them through. If they value hard work, they work hard even when others are not. If communication is a value/strength then they use communication as their super power, especially when others are not communicating. Leaders are also very savvy and can draw out more from people and situations than expected.
Leaders look at a situation from several perspectives. Leaders encourage problem solving. Leaders listen to others for perspective and problem solving. Leaders’ words and actions have the ability to resonate with the best parts of people and overcome fears and insecurities.
When everything is going well, leadership has actually already taken place. Leadership is the set-up for ease, good times, and success. Leadership happens in between, when things are messy and unclear. And in the aftermath, people have grown and leaders have been made.