Let The True Colors of Leadership Shine

From the front desk associate who calmly and kindly welcomed us, swiftly checking us into triage, to the countless heroic nursing staff members - one of who, at one point, was literally standing on my wife’s delivery bed working through pelvic exercises to encourage dilation - to the brilliant decisive physicians, and of course - my wife, the star in the spotlight.

The common thread woven through the fabric of these amazing people was their ability to lead through chaos and uncertainty.  The labor and delivery process is far more aggressive and stressful than I had ever imagined, and it is required of each individual involved to maintain a level head and lead extremely effectively.  As I exited the hospital doors with my newly expanded family, I reflected on this incredible display of raw leadership and its applicability on a macro scale currently in this time of chaos and struggle.

Martin Luther King Junior said, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”  After replacing “man” with “leader”, this quote is incredibly important to reflect on today. In times of crisis, the most effective and skilled leaders emerge, and the true colors of leadership shine bright.  Chaos is the final exam, a true test of a leader’s capabilities.

For talent management executives and other functional heads, now is the very time to have a finger on the pulse of the org chart to establish a very clear sightline to your highest potential leaders, particularly within the middle management ranks.  As Simon Sinek asserts, most things break in the middle, which will be a prevalent phenomenon over the coming months. As this occurs, your succession plans should become airtight as your organization experiences turmoil.

A few indicators of stand-out crisis leadership include:

1. Balanced articulation of the current state and future vision.  Great leaders do not downplay the challenges of the here-and-now during times of chaos.  They are sensitive to the struggles people are faced with, and are incredibly transparent with current state information.  However, consistently underlined in their dialogue is the light at the end of the tunnel and a clear articulation of a positive vision which exists on the other side of the hill.

2. Advocacy for people over things.  Crisis situations typically result in major cost cutting measures in the enterprise, including layoffs.  We find the most effective leaders stand by their people in times of chaos, advocating for their role, ensuring that people are given priority over "things" in those cost cutting initiatives. While they may not always be successful in avoiding personnel cuts, they will give their best creative effort to do so.

3. Eliminates panic and negativity by offering perspective.  The ability to offer a lens of perspective, without underrepresenting a team member’s challenges, is an important skill for eliminating panic and consistent low energy.  As humans, we tend to dramatize our problems. A great leader helps us reframe our mindset, allowing us to focus on the solution, not the problem.

4. Leads with action, not words.  Ivory tower leaders find difficulty in navigating crises.  Words may help support motivation, but actions and presence inspire.  The best leaders will be on the front lines and in the trenches, taking action to cut through challenges and literally carve a path towards team and organizational health.

5. Overemphasizes human-to-human interaction.  Now more than ever, during such a questionable time, people need to hear their leader’s real voice.  The most unhealthy approach to change management communications is one that is strictly electronic. The human side of leadership must be front and center, particularly during times of chaos.

6. Prepares for worst case scenario, but strives for best.  A great leader has strong contingency plans in place, and is organized and prepared for the worst case scenario.  However, they are heavily focused on necessary steps to be taken to cut through chaos and achieve success on the other side of it.

It is a dark time for many, and this moment in history will have a long-lasting impact on individuals, families, organizations, communities, and economies.  But as organizations pivot to lessen the blow, the strength and power of authentic leadership will prevail. The true colors of leadership will shine amid the darkness - don’t miss the opportunity to recognize those who emerge from the pack.

Oh, and here’s a picture of Reid.  Thankfully, he looks just like his mother.

Cultura Solutions is a strategic search firm in Minneapolis that partners with executive leaders to help bridge high-impact leadership talent gaps. Cultura employs an extremely disciplined and transparent search process with a targeted sourcing model and outreach focused on genuine human-to-human interaction, allowing us to turn non-active prospects into interested candidates. Visit www.cultura-solutions.com for more information.