Ten Actions to Lead and Thrive in Challenging Times

Strategy


  1. Context/Content- Big Picture. Every crisis, challenge, setback, hardship, or downturn plays out in a larger context. What's the bigger picture here? Help others understand that what's happening in the environment is part of a cycle and how that is affecting their business. Educate others about the broader context.


  1. Crystal Clear Line of Sight. Identify and align the whole team on top 3-5 priorities by asking the hard questions: Is the customer willing to pay for this priority? If not, move it to the NOT TO DO List. 


  1. Unleash the Team's Creativity and Innovation. This is the time to be creative and innovative by exploiting emerging new opportunities or by reducing cost.  What are some innovative solutions that you can explore?


  1. Focus and Protect Your Core Business and Customers. What are the core services that define your mission? Are your customers delighted with these core services?  


Leadership

 

  1. Have the Courage to Step Up: Know When To Lead From Front or From Behind. Nelson Mandela said: “It is better to lead from behind and to put others in front especially when you celebrate victory when nice things occur. You take the front line when there is danger. Then people will appreciate your leadership”.


  1. Optimize Yourself: Sharpen the saw by taking care of your health under stress. You set the tone and the mood for the rest of the team. 


  1. TRUST and Engage Others.  A lot of people are affected by change; it's not just you and your group. Having supportive, trusting, and stable relationships are crucial conditions for overcoming adversity.


  1. Embrace and Communicate the Opportunity: Transformational leaders view challenge as opportunity and not as threat. Change always opens up all kinds of new and exciting possibilities for the future.

 

Process

 

  1. Optimize Your Systems: Do more with less by leaning and taking waste out of your systems. Any activity that the customer is not willing to pay for is a waste.


  1. Optimize Capacity: Have a strategy for the additional capacity you may have in your production and delivery processes.