Leadership in a Fearful World
Copyright 2005 So-lu'shunz Management Services
We are living in a fearful world. It is a world haunted by the
menace of terrorism, threatened by insidious warfare. It is a
world plagued by tsunamis, monster hurricanes, earthquakes,
tornadoes, severe drought, famine and raging wildfires. But
these often often take a back seat to fear right in our own
neighborhood streets. What was once a place of commerce,
transportation and community has become a war zone right outside
our front doors. Children are often not safe in their
classrooms, and sadly not even in their own homes.
Haunted by insecurity and upheaval, shadowed by dread, the world
hungers for great leadership, for guidance and direction from
those with cool heads and clear visions. If you are in a
position of leadership, and very few of us are not, don't wait
for a great leader to emerge. Great leaders are not born - they
become. A great leader is one whose heart is transformed, often
during times of great crisis. You can be the great leader to
arise in your family, community or business setting.
Webster defines crisis as disordered function, a radical change
of status, an unstable or crucial time or state of affairs in
which a decisive change is impending; especially one with the
distinct possibility of a highly undesirable outcome.
With that definition in mind, handling crisis is no longer an
option for any leader. Leaders must be prepared at all times to
handle crisis and its outcomes at home, among friends and in the
workplace. If that's a daunting possibility, be encouraged. You
are far better prepared to be the instrument of peace in a
critical situation that you realize. Keep these steps in mind.
1. Deal with yourself first. You're no good to anyone if you're
out of control. Deal with your own emotions, your immediate
needs. As the airlines have been telling us for years, put the
oxygen mask on yourself first, and then you can be available to
those in need.
2. Tell the truth about the situation. Use your good judgment to
share what information is pertinent. It's not necessary to share
all the gory details simply because they exist. The need to
share sensational data will separate the leader from the
limelight seeker.
3. Alleviate stress, as much as possible. Provide a controlled
atmosphere in which people can talk through their fears, where
they can share what they have experienced and how they are
feeling about it.
4. Authenticate the experience. Don't try to talk people out of
their emotions; don't comment and by all means, don't judge.
Hear them out; acknowledge them and then be prepared to help
them move forward.
5. Provide an opportunity to move forward to normal operation.
Though true normalcy may not be possible for some time, realize
what will be necessary to return to a degree of normal
functioning and facilitate it.
6. Recognize and deal with the acute reaction. Be prepared to
employ professionals to assess those whose reactions seem to be
severe, situations in which the individuals may be a potential
danger to themselves or to others.
7. Provide resources 24/7. From toiletries for those displaced
by a tornado to a forum for sharing memories about a deceased
comrade, the great leader will see through the eyes of need and
provide whatever will help the victimized begin to feel
empowered once more.
8. Don't ever promise what you can't deliver. But don't hesitate
to promise what you know you can. In times of crisis, people
will hang onto whatever is offered. As a leader, you are bound
to make your offers concrete and be prepared to stand behind
them, at all costs.
9. Communicate, communicate, communicate. Keep all lines of
communication open and flowing. Repeat each communiqu