Here’s Why Turbulence Is an Opportunity, Not a Threat

If you take a look at the lives of leaders such as Winston Churchill and Abraham Lincoln or Rudy Giuliani and see the similarities, it is clear that their leadership style was calm and collected and they were able to overcome turbulent times. Winston Churchill is a hero of war who led the country to victory during World War II. Abraham Lincoln served as President during a critical period in American history. He had to fight for unity and against slavery. Boris Yeltsin fought the army coup head-on and managed to defeat it. Rudy Giuliani was the mayor of New York and handled the aftermath after the attacks of September 11. They were calm and an inspiration to others during this crisis. These leaders were composed and cool in leadership.

While tough times will never end, those who are determined and persistent can.

Robert H. Schuller once remarked, “Tough times never last, but tough people do.” Rudolph W. Giuliani was the Mayor of New York from 1994 to 2002. He was a remarkable leader during the September 11th 2001 terrorist attack in New York. His popularity had declined and it was thought that he would disappear into infamy. 

His inner strength and potential came out of his terrorist attack on the World Trade Centre twin towers. He brought stability and strength to New York during a time of uncertainty through his calm leadership. He was able to face the crisis with dignity and calm. 

He said, “It is in times of crisis that good leaders emerge.” Giuliani outlines six skills to excel as a great leader. These are—having strong beliefs, being an optimist, being courageous, preparing relentlessly, emphasizing teamwork, and communicating clearly. 

The leaders must be ready to deal with any type of crisis, including a terrorist attack or natural disaster. Failure to control the crisis quickly may damage the organization’s credibility and goodwill. Be part of the solution when faced with a crisis. 

It is very difficult for people to remember this in heat. Michael Caine said, “Be like a duck. Calm on the surface, but always paddling like the dickens underneath.” Hence, when hit with a crisis, take a deep breath, look at the problem in detail, focus on the big picture, search for alternate solutions, shortlist the best one, and implement and execute effectively. Keep in mind that every action may not produce the desired outcome. You should be prepared to fail.

If you remain calm, there will be a solution. You should also prepare a Plan A and Plan B to deal with the uncertainties. As a result, leaders can perform well in stressful situations and crises. It is called eustress when stress produces positive results. 

It is important to remain calm during times of crisis

The leader must be able to control anger and frustration while remaining calm and composed under pressure. Leaders must be perceived as people who can solve problems in crisis, not just those who complain. Being calm and composed in the face of a storm is key to your success. In today’s global business climate, not only are you required to be a soft leader but you also need to be able and willing to work hard. Anybody can lead the ship when things are going well. The true leaders and CEOs are there to guide the boat safely to shore when the seas are rough. 

Abraham Lincoln, a good example of a leader that led America in turbulent times is Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln displayed leadership ability by managing all stakeholder, including political rivals, to eradicate slavery and preserve America’s unity. This is why many leaders look up at Lincoln regardless of what political ideology they hold.

The book Abraham Lincoln: A Book Team of Rivals – The Political Genius Of Abraham LincolnDoris Kearns Goodwin explains how Lincoln relates to others. He brought people into his cabinet who opposed him. This includes three Republican opponents. He managed to get these people to respect him within eight to one year. 

He was able to trust and work well with the very best, turning his enemies into friends. It’s an inspiring story. It can bring you a competitive advantage in your market by combining the views of people with different perspectives, expectations and viewpoints. Many American Presidents look up to Abraham Lincoln whenever they encounter political challenges although two more American Presidents are also equally eminent to lead in turbulent times—George Washington and Franklin Delano Roosevelt. 

Lincoln was a dedicated and committed leader. He learned bitter lessons through his many failures, including those that occurred before he became the 16th president of America. Hence, CEOs must take a leaf from Lincoln’s leadership.

Take the initiative to be bold in turbulent times

The true leaders emerge in a crisis. Real leadership abilities emerge in times of crisis. Leaders who don’t rise to the challenge during crisis situations will not be successful as leaders. Turbulence does not pose a threat, but is an opportunity for you to prove yourself and to help others make a difference. Kelly Corrigan rightly remarked, “Turbulence is the only way to get altitude – to get a lift. The sky would be nothing without turbulence. Without turbulence, you sink.” 

Each challenge offers the possibility for learning. If you are able to face challenges, your best self will emerge and you’ll perform well. When you overcome challenges, it brings great joy. It takes tough, quick decisions to make it through difficult times. For organizational stability and success, it is important that CEOs are prepared for difficult times.

The post Here’s Why Turbulence Is an Opportunity, Not a Threat first appeared on Addicted 2 Success.

The post Here’s Why Turbulence Is an Opportunity, Not a Threat appeared first on Addicted 2 Success.

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