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TIMING
IS EVERYTHING
by
Marc Fey
You
can’t direct the wind, but you can adjust your sails.
Slowing
down affords us the opportunity to check the direction of
the wind then adjust our sails. In fact, slowing down is sometimes the best way to speed up—it
gives the leaders and the organization breathing room,
perspective, and time for evaluation.
This process is often the most difficult thing to
accomplish because it requires the discipline of looking
past immediate responsibilities, the tyranny of the urgent,
and the pressure of relationships and work.
The
difference between successful organizations & status quo
organizations often comes down to timing.
Timing—as
vague as that may sound—is the best way to describe the
difference between organizations that take advantage of
pressure, challenge, and difficulty, and those that do not.
In these effective, sleek organizations, it is as if the leader
and/or leadership team have an internal barometer for
threatening challenges. Instead
of backing down or flinching when these challenges threaten
the organization or individuals within the organization,
they rise to face the difficulties head on, knowing from
their experience that it is exactly this kind of challenge
which propels an organization and its team members to the
next level of effectiveness.
Often, they are bold with initiative and confident in their
ability, and have a humility toward problem-solving.
These leaders are learners whose lives are marked by transformation.
Unfortunately,
most leaders and leadership teams react frenetically and
compulsively to the approach of threatening problems and
challenges. This is dangerous ground because the
leader is vulnerable to compromise--doing whatever it
takes to alleviate the pressure and the threat, no matter
the cost to character and long-term success.
When
you feel that threat, slow down and replicate these 5
indicators of effective leaders:
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Time
is your ally. Give your time carefully to
the people around you. Slow down, listen,
discern. Find the quiet spot in the eye of the
storm. Opportunity comes out of challenge, but you have
to have ears to hear it.
-
People
are your greatest resource. Protect your people,
even the one(s) causing you the most grief. Champion the
deeper needs of your people: significance, purpose,
meaningful work, affirmation, and love.
-
Clarify
values, goals, and outcomes. Remind your people
in creative ways the value of the outcome. Go back
to the "why" of the work, connect this with
daily effort, and affirm ach member's vital role on the team.
-
Strengthen
trust. Trust can only be earned or lost when the
chips are down. During this time, your walk must match
your talk, and your motives must be for the good of
others. Be interested only in protecting yourself,
and you lose. At this time, servant leadership
distinguishes an organization.
-
Breathe.
Your work is not who you are.
During
these difficult times, if you can reach back to grab a hold
of who really you are--apart from just your work--you
win. You know the great deception is that our work
defines us. Challenging times give you the opportunity
to laugh and reflect--even in the face of formidable
obstacles. It is an act of courage.
Slow
down. Listen. You might be surprised by what you
hear!
--Marc
Fey
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