Leading Through (Any) Crisis

How do leaders lead through times of trouble, uncertainty, and crisis? We have five suggestions that can help leaders in any organization. But we were sparked to make this list because several of us on the ARE team are members of a religious denomination that has been rocked by a recent change in policy. In the aftermath, some people in the denomination are rejoicing; some are frustrated and angry. A few have left the denomination and/or are considering leaving. What concerns us is that so many of our leaders are allowing this latest crisis to knock them off track. Some of them are running around like fire fighters without a chief, madly trying to put out every flame they see without aim or effect.

Notice we said "this latest crisis." 

This isn't the first. It won't be the last. It may not even be the worst.  AP religion writer Rachel Zoll reports that The Great Recession has made things even harder than they were before for financially strapped faith-based organizations and communities across the religious spectrum (both liberals and conservatives) --- and that it doesn't look like things will improve even after the economy begins to turn around.   (Read the rest of Rachel's article here.) 

The fact is, if you're a leader - in any organization - you're going to face all types and sizes of crises, some caused by things beyond your control and others of your own making. Here are five suggestions to help leaders in any organization lead through troubled times and unexpected circumstances:

Be honest

You don't help yourself or the organization you care about if you're panicked. And people will know it if you are, even if you think you're covering it up. So, if you're afraid, admit it.  That'll go a long way towards helping you get your fear under control so you can think better and act smarter. If you're having trouble doing that, get help. Talk to a trusted colleague, counselor, or coach --- anybody who can remind you that, seriously, this isn't the end of the world. It is, in fact, just part of what you signed up for when you became a leader.

Pay attention to the new opportunities, resources, and leaders that emerge

Some of the most important developments in history emerged out of the chaos of crisis. In fact, some researchers and theorists believe that it takes a crisis to make space for new things to emerge. What feels awful today could turn out to be one of the most significant - even one of the best - things that has ever happened to you and the organization you care about. But you can't leverage, cultivate, or join what you can't see. Keep your eyes open. 

Commit to learning

Change is the new black for organizations. Thomas Friedman, in his book The World is Flat, makes a good case that between globalization, technology, increased access to education and wealth, and the World Wide Web --- nothing will ever be the same again. Some of the most well-respected management gurus are saying, that all we know is that what we know isn't good enough anymore. Leaders today need to be life long learners --- read, ask questions, take classes, get help, tackle new ideas, explore new technology, commit to growth in both mind and heart. Instead of fretting about the crisis you're facing, ask What can I learn from this? What do I know now that I didn't know before? What did I do that contributed to this mess? What would I do differently next time? 

Look for where the positive energy is and follow it

The temptation in a crisis  is to try to make everybody happy. This is a terrible waste of time and energy. Don't be mean to the people who are upset. Listen and talk with them in order to find out if they're willing to work with you to find a way through the crisis. But, if they're not, look for people who will. Social innovators and change agents will tell you that, at some point in the process of doing what matters, they experience a kind of flow - a positive energy (or Spirit?!) that seems to come from outside of them. Instead of beating your head against the brick wall of entrenched opposition, pay attention to where the positive energy is and follow it. That's the only way to move forward.

Build to think

The way out of whatever mess you're in isn't going to be immediately clear. And, if it's a crisis, you're not going to have a lot of time to sit around and think of the BEST IDEA for getting out of it. You're going to have to just throw some stuff at the wall to see what sticks. Tim Brown, CEO of the widely admired design company, IDEO, is challenging people to use "design thinking" to tackle the big problems of our time. Among other things, he means build to think instead of thinking of what to build. Set people  free to try new things. See what happens. See what you learn. Enjoy the freedom this crisis is giving you to think up new ideas and try new things. 

None of this is easy, of course. If you want help, call or email us. 

If you're a faith-based leader, you might want to pick up a copy of The Future Starts Now - that's where the ideas in this blog post came from. This new book presents a post-missional, post-modern approach for being, seeing, and doing church in this emerging future. It'll rock your brain, renew your spirit, and help you lead --- come what may. 

Or join us at one of our workshops --- coming to a city near you beginning Oct. 8th. Click here for more info about our "Treasure in Clay Jar" tour.

Comments

[Ivy]

Thanks for posting this. In our Congregational Ministry, Leadership and the Emerging Church class we were discussing this very issue and how it affects us as church leaders.

God's peace.