Being an extraordinary leader through challenging times

by Chris Widener

Tough and challenging times will surely come. That is a given. Many would argue that we are currently living in tough and challenging times. Regardless, the question is one of what kind of leadership we will demonstrate during those times.

It is possible and highly probable that those who are weak leaders will see lasting damage done, if not see the organization fall apart completely. But, with extraordinary leaders at the helm, an organization can actually become stronger and thrive in spite of tough and challenging times. Those times become the platform for solidifying the organization and building toward the future. Here are some ideas on how to be an extraordinary leader in tough and challenging times!

1. Keep your eye on the big picture
When things get tough, everybody’s temptation is to become acutely focused on the problem. The extraordinary leader will keep his eye on the big picture. This doesn’t mean that he doesn't address the problem. In fact, he has to address the problem. But what separates a leader from a follower is that the leader doesn’t get caught up in the problem. The leader sees the big picture and keeps moving toward the vision. The further he takes his followers toward the vision, the further away from the problem they get. This is actually an issue of vision and keeping focused on that vision, though the immediate problems will be screaming for his attention.

2. Don't get caught in the war or the friendly fire
When it gets tough even the most loyal team members can be tempted to start shooting and, unfortunately, they sometimes shoot each other! Rather than focusing on the enemy on the outside, they begin to question each other and find many faults with one another that they normally would not have seen.

The extraordinary leader is the one who can keep from being dragged into the fray. He keeps his eye on the big picture and acts rationally and objectively. He understands that people are heated and are saying things they don’t really mean. The people are firing because they are angry or scared. The extraordinary leader understands this and rises above it. This way, he takes fewer arrows and sets the example for followers.

3. Be first to sacrifice
When business life gets tough, the leader needs to lead. He needs to not only be the one who is rewarded the greatest when all is well, but needs to be the first to sacrifice. 

The extraordinary leader says, “I know many of you are concerned with the salary cuts. I am too. In the long run we will be healthy again but for the mean time, this is necessary. Understanding this, I want you to know that I am taking a 20 percent pay reduction myself. I want you to know that we are in this together.”

The extraordinary leader is the first to sacrifice and will be rewarded with the loyalty of his or her followers. When followers see that a leader is willing to take the bad along with the good, they develop a respect for that leader and are much more willing to devote themselves to following and producing for that leader.

4. Remain calm
Panic is one of the basest of human emotions and no one is immune to it. But, the extraordinary leader takes time regularly to think the issues through so he can remain calm. He reminds himself that all is not lost and there will be another day. He reminds himself that being calm will enable him to make the best decisions - for himself and for his followers. 

Panic only leads to disaster, while calm leads to victory. This is one of the distinguishing marks of a leader: He is able to stay calm, stay the course, keep on moving and avoid panic.

5. Motivate
In tough and challenging times, people are naturally down. They tend to be pessimistic. They can’t see how it is all going to work out. Thus, they have a hard time getting going. The extraordinary leader knows this and will focus in on being the optimistic motivator. He will come to the office knowing that for the time being, the mood of the group will be carried and buoyed by him and his attitude. 

Above all else, the extraordinary leader seeks to show how the end result will be good, and with this he motivates his followers to continue braving the current storms on to their shared destiny.

It is the leader’s job to motivate, to provide motive for the followers to keep their heads in the game and to keep the organization moving along. If you can do that in tough times, you will be a master in good times!

6. Create small wins
One of the ways to motivate is to create small wins. The extraordinary leader knows that in tough times his or her people think that all is lost. They wonder if they can win. So the extraordinary leader creates opportunities for the team to win, even if they are small. They set smaller, more achievable goals and remind and reward the team members when they hit those goals. With each small win, the leader is building the esteem and attitude of his followers, digging them out of their self-created hole of fear. 

Tough times usually provide losses for organizations. Those leaders who can keep their organizations on the small, steady track of incremental wins, even small ones, will prove themselves to be extraordinary.

7. Keep a sense of humor
Hardly anything in life can’t be laughed at. The extraordinary leader knows that even if the whole company goes down the drain, we still go home to our families and live a life of love with them. The extraordinary leader keeps perspective and knows that we humans act irrationally when we get scared and fail, and sometimes that is humorous. The extraordinary leader never laughs at someone’s expense in this situation, because that will be perceived at cold and heartless, regardless of what he meant by it. But he keeps the ability to laugh at himself and the situations that present themselves.

By doing this, the extraordinary leader will keep himself and his team in an attitude that will eventually beat the tough times. The fact is, we need to be able to laugh and enjoy life, even when circumstances are tough. Even when we are challenged by extreme circumstances, we can keep out sense of humor. This is what provides us with the joy of work and life.

Is it hard to be an extraordinary leader during tough and challenging times? Of course. But it is very possible! Those leaders who are aware of the times they live in and aware of the kinds of strategies that will keep their organizations at the top even when the downturns come will become extraordinary and lead extraordinary organizations.

While other fail and falter, the extraordinary leader will see his organization survive and even thrive. Then when the good times come again, he will be positioned for even more dynamic and profitable growth – for himself and for the organization he leads.

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