Last week we talked about true leaders emerging during a crisis. There can, and should, be other positive outcomes from times of crisis. Our challenges should always lead to lessons learned, changes made, and improvements in our lives.
If we
are not growing through what we are going through, we are missing huge
opportunities. This is true of both business and personal challenges. Think
about this…
Last Friday, March 11th, marked two years from the date
the NBA and The Houston Rodeo both shut down.
It was the beginning of a shutdown of businesses across most of the
country. A lot has taken place, and a lot has changed since then. Are these
still trying times? Sure they are, in some similar ways and some new and
different ways. Great leadership is still in high demand and hope is still our
focus. Below is the MMM from March 23, 2020.
Trying Times
These times will test our souls. Our faith will be tested, but it will become our rock. Our resolve will be stretched but it will support us. Our businesses and economy will be damaged, but they will survive. Our friends and families may be separated, but we will hold them tightly.
Leaders are purveyors of hope. Now is the time for us to step up. Our employees, friends and followers need to see hope in our eyes and positivity in our voices. It will not be easy. They need to hear us say the things above. They need to know there is an end to this and better days will come. They need to know this is survivable. It is time to instill hope. It is time to step up as leaders. It is time for us to pass the test of leadership.
Let’s do this together. Take one day at a time and lead with hope!
A lot has happened over the last four years, especially in just the last 12 months, but what has really changed? In some regards what is really important has not changed much at all. The below MMM could have been written today. It was actually published four years ago on February 6, 2017. The ingredients for great leadership have not changed and are even more important today.
Leadership Today
After just one month of
2017 and two weeks into the term of a new President, we find our country to be
in interesting and challenging times.
Our political and social landscape is changing, seems incredibly
delicate, and is actually very contentious.
The world of social media has forever changed how information is
disseminated and opinions are formed.
That is not necessarily a change for the better. We are quick to make judgments; we fail to
research facts; we condemn too quickly.
It is way too easy to be extremist and hateful from the safety of an
iPhone or keyboard. We also think it
takes too much time to truly listen, educate ourselves and fully understand
issues. The issues are passionate,
significant ones. The extremely divided
opinions on many of these topics is both surprising and totally
understandable. But remember, varying
viewpoints, backgrounds and beliefs are what makes this country great.
·
Be
bold but thoughtful
·
Ensure
that passions and convictions are well supported by facts
·
Drawing
lines in the sand and jumping to conclusions are short sighted behaviors
·
There
is power in being positive even in debate
·
Every
thought or opinion, political or otherwise, that crosses one’s mind does not
have to be posted to social media
·
Don’t
believe, nor become enraged by, everything you read on the internet or social
media
·
Be
careful of the momentum of the bandwagon; groups with common beliefs often feed
off themselves without considering differing viewpoints
·
Most
importantly… Listen, truly listen with
the intent to understand.
