It’s one of the savviest pieces of leadership advice I’ve ever received: Stay Calm.
If you are called into leadership, or step into it willingly, you will find yourself battling a storm at some point. A storm of failing public confidence. A storm of economic decline. A storm of naysayers when the ship changes course (even if a course correction was called for).
Storms come and a good leader weathers them calmly. {===>Click to Tweet} Even if she’s shaking inside, she conveys confidence. Strength. Control of the situation.
When I interviewed leaders around the country for my book, Learning to Lead, one of my favorite conversations was with Marina Park, CEO of Girl Scouts of Northern California. She grew up racing sailboats with her father. She recalled a particularly harrowing storm they found themselves battling on board their sailboat with the crew. Even though some on the boat were injured, her father calmly called out orders and engendered both respect and action from those around him which enabled them to weather the storm and save the boat and the crew.
After sharing her real life storm experience, Ms. Park advised:
No one will have faith in a leader who is fearful, chaotic or panicked in the midst of a crisis. The reality is, the leader must do what has to be done and give people the confidence that you know what is going on and the ship is not sinking. You must cultivate the ability to settle people down, focus on what needs to get done, and then do it. Remaining calm will give those around you the confidence that you are in control and things will turn out okay, and that in turn will engender action and trust.
It’s not easy. Particularly when, even from the leadership vantage point, you’re not sure what is over the next wave. But panic will definitely not move you forward. It will cause confusion and will prevent those supporting you from trusting you with the decision to chart the right course.
So take a deep breath. Focus on the very next move. And stay calm.
Photo Credit: Eric Kilby