Leading Through Hard Moments

Hard moments in life are inevitable. How you are leading people through hard moments can determine the future of your organization. Use these three simple steps when navigating difficult moments as you lead your teams.

1. Be honest about where you are in the present moment

When you face a challenge, dressing it up or being overly positive can sometimes be a hindrance. You need to be honest about the challenges that are in front of you when talking to your team. State clearly the necessary information about what is happening and the situation that puts you in. This will garner trust and show vulnerability, which in turn, will allow those you lead to be more open to your solution and the realities of the decisions ahead.

2. Cast the vision for the future

Reassure the team that not only will your organization move forward, but there is a clear vision for the future. Make sure to restate your vision and mission and the core of what you do as a firm here. Show them all that you see them and the team becoming on the other side of what you find yourself in today. This will show the team hope. There’s nothing more powerful than hope.

3. Ask for a heroic participation commitment

Now is the time to lay out the plan to get from where you are (step 1) to where you want to go (step 2). You will need to make it a heroic ask of the team members and call them to rise to the occasion. And they will, when they understand the why behind the what. Explain how they can participate and actually be a part of creating the vision you cast about the future. This will give you buy-in and equip you to move forward.

I am not saying this will be a smooth process. Sometimes we have to shut down programs, change positions, or even make cuts. None of that is fun and no one jumps for joy over it. What I am saying, is when you follow the steps above, you will help your team navigate with a more open and generous mind. You will likely become a stronger and more unified team and you will have respect that is genuine.

The action required again is:

1. Be honest about the problem

2. Give a vision for the future

3. Ask for a heroic participation commitment

What this gives you:

1. Trust

2. Hope

3. Buy-In

With those three outcomes from your actions, you can navigate anything.

Don’t just use this in business, use it in your family or other relationships. The concept is the same, gain trust, cast a vision to give hope, and ask for heroism to create buy-in. This powerful leadership tool truly makes you a leader people WANT to follow now and in the future.