With the economy in its current state, it seems like every time we turn around, a new crisis appears. Bank failures, home foreclosures, business ventures reluctantly abandoned. In times like these, good leadership is especially critical.
I recently addressed this in a session for the Maximum Impact program, which will be available in October. One of the things I talked about was decision-making during a crisis. Here are the top five types of tough choices good leaders make during tough times:
1. Courageous decisions. What must be done?
Crises usually prompt an organization to narrow its focus. Leaders have to make those calls. That requires courage when others have a lot invested in what will be eliminated. A leader has to be willing to stand up to all competing agendas and do what must be done.
2. Priority decisions. What must be done first?
The Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto once said, “If you’re Noah, and your ark is about to sink, look for the elephants first, because you can throw over a bunch of cats and dogs and squirrels and everything else that is just a small animal – and your ark will keep sinking. But if you can find one elephant to get overboard, you’re in much better shape.”
If you’re a leader, identify your elephants.
3. Change decisions. What must be done differently?
Even ideas that would have worked well a month earlier may be useless in an emergency. Leaders know when it’s time to make a change. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: When the horse is dead, DISMOUNT.
4. Creative decisions. What are my options?
You probably know how this saying ends:
“If I always do what I’ve always done….” That’s right: “. . . I always get what I’ve always gotten.”
When the old methods aren’t working to solve the crisis, they need to be questioned. Think outside of the box. Get every option out on the table. A good leader will be open-minded and explore all options on the spectrum between “change nothing” and “change everything.” The right choice usually lies somewhere in the middle.
5. Support decisions. Who can help me?
Leaders are responsible for having the right people on the team and making sure they are in the right places. In their book, The Wisdom of Teams, Jon R. Katzenbach and Douglas K. Smith write,
Team leaders genuinely believe that they do not have all the answers-so they do not insist on providing them. They believe they do not need to make all key decisions-so they do not do so. They believe they cannot succeed without the combined contributions of all the other members of the team to a common end-so they avoid any action that might constrain inputs or intimidate anyone on the team. Ego is not their predominant concern.
Leaders are not MADE in a crisis. Leaders are REVEALED in a crisis. It’s easy to steer a ship in calm waters. Only the turbulence of a storm shows a captain’s true skill.
If your organization is facing a storm, take the wheel and make the decisions that only a leader can make.
12 responses so far ↓
1 Virginia Steinberg // Apr 14, 2009 at 6:53 am
Excellent points. Especially critical is #5 as the final step. Many organizations overlook the importance of the team. A well-developed team plays to each person’s individual and combined strengths. In a nutshell, you need the right people in the right places. Finally, be sure that any newcomers are onboarded well with all the information to make informed decisions.
2 edna rheiner // Apr 14, 2009 at 7:01 am
nice article thanks for the tips
3 Jim Gray // Apr 14, 2009 at 7:22 am
I love the elephant piece.
4 Ravi Janardhan // Apr 14, 2009 at 9:17 am
Thanks John for the wonderful post! I’m grateful!
5 Mac Lake // Apr 14, 2009 at 9:20 pm
John thanks for the practical wisdom on dealing with times of crisis.
6 5 Things for Leaders to Concentrate on | Simply Productive // Apr 19, 2009 at 10:32 pm
[...] a recent post Maxwell states there are 5 decisions that need to be made during crises. They [...]
7 D.C.P. // Apr 21, 2009 at 2:36 am
Hello John. I’m from Brazil and I’m reading your book “A arte de influenciar pessoas”. Something like “the art of influence”. In your book you sounds like very shy people can’t be leaders. Is that true or just translation problems?
8 Joey // Apr 21, 2009 at 12:55 pm
John, I love your thoughts and use your words often, such as “Nobody wants to know how much you know, till they know how much you care.” Great stuff!
9 Paul Gardner // Apr 22, 2009 at 4:39 pm
John
I agree with you just so much on these points. So much so, I referred to them when I posted about 5 Things Leaders need to concentrate on during these difficult times.
I love your books, just reading your latest now about Having a Dream.
Keep it up and God bless
10 Blogs worth your time - Part 2 « scotto’s think tank // May 2, 2009 at 8:56 am
[...] John Maxwell [...]
11 Evan Money // May 4, 2009 at 4:31 pm
John is 100% correct; Only the turbulence of a storm shows a captain’s true skill.
The challenge of course is, who really wants to sail in a storm. Winston Churchill talks about, never running from a challenge, stand right up to it and you find it is not as bad as you think. However storms can be tricky and sometimes the ship sinks.
What I like about John is he never sugar coats anything, thanks for telling it straight John.
Also if your looking for a life coach to tell it to your straight check out: http://www.lifecoach5.com
12 Only be Strong & Very Courageous « Radical Living // Jul 20, 2009 at 4:29 pm
[...] As John Maxwell puts it – “Leaders are not made during crisis. Leaders are revealed during crisis. It’s easy to steer a ship in calm waters. Only the turbulence of a storm shows a captain’s true skill.” (See John Maxwell’s post here) [...]