I think we can all agree that the first half of 2023 has been challenging for companies around the globe. While thinking about how I wanted to approach this critical subject, I reflected on strategies, both personal and professional, that I have learned throughout my life. What I found were simple, straightforward topics we should address to guide and provide us with the tools to successfully propel us into the future. My hope is to bring the challenges into focus and answer the most prominent question proposed: how do we lead, both ourselves and those around us, through challenging times?

Know Your People

Learning about those people with and around whom you work should begin on your first day. It is imperative that you work hard to build relationships. It is more than just understanding what they do. It is understanding the person themselves. What are their interests outside of work? Do they have families? What are their visions, dreams, and goals? The more we take the opportunity to learn about our co-workers, the more we understand who they are and what is important to them. 

Because we have taken the time to truly learn about those around us, we can then understand the multitude of personalities within the team and effectively support them. This will ultimately lead to an increased level of confidence in themselves, their team, and SIS, and open the door to innovative and courageous thoughts and ideas.

Acknowledge the Reality

Many businesses are suffering loss as a result of today’s challenges. It is important to acknowledge this reality. By accepting this, we can begin to confront what is out of our control and look for areas in which we can act. Acknowledgment can bring clarity to the situation and create an atmosphere where we can achieve positive outcomes even during these difficult situations. 

Be Honest

Businesses have to be transparent about the issues they are facing in order to find the best fit solution. Employees should not be left in the dark in these confusing times. Within the SIS family, we are entitled to know what is going on. No one is alone! Let your people and co-workers know you have faith in their abilities to adjust to the “new norms”. Now, more than ever, we need to re-emphasize the importance of working as a team.

Take Responsibility

We cannot change the past, but we can learn from it. Taking responsibility is not about blaming, but about being accountable. As leaders, we must constantly look inward and take ownership of our roles within the organization. We must analyze these challenges and identify how we can improve ourselves. We need to recognize our shortcomings and areas where we can all support and assist during these times.

Create an Atmosphere of Open Communication

It is important to answer as many questions about what happened and how the company and its employees will be affected. The key as a leader is to create an environment where communication flows freely. Every concern and fear expressed should be welcomed freely. The answers must be thoughtful, direct, and transparent. While those answers may be difficult to say and hear, it will instill confidence in those around you that you respect and trust them enough to understand where we are and how we move toward success. 

Show Empathy

Poet Maya Angelou famously wrote, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Demonstrating empathy is one of the most important lessons we can learn. Empathy will foster a greater commitment and effort from your team. In challenging times, we sometimes focus inward, struggling to answer the uncertainties we are experiencing. Understand that we are all struggling with those feelings. Reach out to the team and stay connected with them. Be present and attuned to their needs. Demonstrating that you care for others will make them feel better and will instill confidence moving forward.

Empower People

Encourage your team and engage them in proactive action. Leadership expert Craig Smith states, “Ensure people know they are part of the solution, and not in a victim mindset.” Encourage your people to be more involved in projects, foster an idea-centric environment, and give the team expanded responsibilities that will keep them productive and contributing.

Set the Tone

It has been said that it is not in times of success that people will view who you are, but in times of challenge. Keep your head up, look for the positives in every situation, and remain focused on possibilities. Be optimistic about the future and take pleasure in the successes, no matter how big or small, of your team. 

Everyone has the capability of being a true leader. Leadership traits are in all of us-integrity, knowledge, responsibility, transparency, empathy, passion, and the ability to empower, to name a few. True leadership is not positional; it is not a result of titles or positions of power. It has everything to do with setting a vision and moving those within your sphere to embrace it and realize it. Now more than ever, it is imperative that we tap into this potential and lead.