Calm Leaders

“The true test of leadership is how well you function in a crisis.”

– Brian Tracy

In the most chaotic times, people gravitate to the leader who exhibits a calm demeanor. Leadership or the lack of it can determine the outcome during a challenge. Organizations with calm leaders are most likely to succeed and to weather whatever crisis they face.

Doug Dickerson tells the story about “A man in the supermarket who was pushing a cart which contained, among other things, a screaming baby. As the man proceeded along the aisles, he kept repeating softly, “Keep calm, George. Don’t get excited, George. Don’t get excited, George. Don’t yell, George.”

A lady watching with admiration said to the man, “You are certainly to be commended for your patience in trying to quiet little George.”

“Lady,” he declared, “I’m George!”

When we think of leaders under pressure or facing a crisis, these situations are significantly more critical than the one that George was facing. However, this is a comical reminder of the importance for leaders to remain calm when challenges occur.

Joyce E.A. Russell, Dean, Villanova School of Business, reports that “according to a study by TalentSmart, 90 percent of top performers demonstrated the ability to manage their emotions and stay calm during stressful times. This illustrates that in order to perform well under pressure, calmness is a prerequisite, as it allows you to think more clearly and choose your actions more carefully.”

Prepare for Calm

We all face pressure or critical situations as leaders. It’s how we react, our approach, in these situations that matters. As a leader, prepare for challenges and crises by learning to manage yourself first.

An initial step in learning to manage our selves is to build internal resiliency by developing a Positive Mental Attitude (PMA). A PMA approach does not mean being unrealistic or painting a rosy picture on everything. Rather, by taking a PMA approach, you keep a focus while addressing challenges and obstacles as opportunities. It reminds us to take time for self-awareness to identify areas of negativity in our life and to begin each day on a positive note to set the stage for ourselves and for our team. This doesn’t eliminate the crisis but rather allows you to reinforce your internal and outward calm.

Marty Fukuda, Chief Operating Officer, N2 Publishing, suggests that “The speed of the leader is the speed of the team. No doubt, a leader’s behavior has a trickle-down effect. When your organization is paddling rough waters, what the team needs more than ever is focus. Leaders who show signs of panic or fear will not keep their teams on-point. The team needs to be calm to focus. It’s essential you show confidence and a collected demeanor in front of your team, regardless of the emotions flowing through your veins.”

Control Your Energy

Where can you best place your crowbar in times of crisis to be supportive to your team, your organization, and ultimately your customer?

Lolly Daskal, one of the most sought-after executive leadership coaches in the world, advises leaders to “Follow the 80-20 rule. Faced with a problem, most people spend about 80 percent of their time and energy dwelling on the problem. Instead, devote 80 percent to a solution and 20 percent to the problem. When you turn it around, you’ll likely find you’re less stressed and more productive.”

Adapt, Remain Agile

Focus on outcomes while being supportive and staying in your lane. Remain at the helm, there is no need to jump to do other’s jobs, this is their time to own a piece of the crisis.

“Think decisions and approaches through before following through on anything”, says Rajendra Dhandhukia. “Assertiveness, a balance between passivity and aggressiveness, lies in the ability to look at a situation from all angles and then determine the right approach. This is also the key to being calmer as a leader. Think carefully about the situation and be very patient and calculated in how you handle things.”

Don’t Lose Sight of the Long Game

Remember that tactical decisions can have strategic consequences. Don’t let a challenge distract you and your team. React appropriately but remain focused.

“Create a longer-term perspective” is Lolly Daskal’s approach. “Leaders know the crisis of the moment can make us all feel that the world’s about to end. But the best leaders, the most productive, understand that most issues will take care of themselves in time, and they focus on dealing with the issues in the present that will serve them best.”

It’s Your Choice

How we respond to crisis is ultimately a choice. We can see crisis as a threat to be avoided or a challenge to be overcome. We can choose to be a victim of our circumstance, or we can learn to leverage adversity to our advantage. The key is to take a calm approach, never surrendering our ability to choose how we respond to our situation.

This is the essence of how leaders distinguish themselves as one who others seek to follow.

Integrator Leader Reflections

• During a crisis, how will you control your energy to create calm?
• How can you keep your team focused, even during times of adversity?
• Does your team have a solid understanding of, and know their role in your organization’s “long game”?