How to Lead in Turbulent Times

It is easy to lead when things are going well. It is natural to use good human relation principles when everyone around is happy and upbeat. In fact, during good times, leading is pleasurable, fun, exciting, and exhilarating. During good times almost any leadership philosophy can be made to fit any situation. Most of us have lived through the upbeat thinking and have volumes of leadership guru books on our shelves. Today seems hollow and uninspiring as we face the challenges of 2009.

Growing up, I was always reminded by my grandfather and father of a simple truth. Albeit a little league baseball game, high school football game or in business; when things get tough the tough get going!

This is why I am so excited. Not just for myself but for companies and institutions all over North America who are feeling the financial squeeze.

Truly Great Leaders have the opportunity to emerge.

Use these five time-tested hints to improve your leadership during these turbulent times:

1. Be an encourager – Always look to encourage others who are feeling the same pressures as you. How? Pick up the phone, make a call, have lunch, send an inspiring personal email or write a note (hand written). People always feel better when they see the positives.
   
2. Choose to be positive – Have a positive attitude that is contagious and not phony. Be real and believable in what you say and do.
   
3. Be strong in grace – Always give others the benefit of the doubt. See the good in what they say or do and ignore or forget what causes you frustration.
   
4. Be a visionary – Remember what goes up always comes down and what goes down always goes up. Keep in mind the morning after the storm . . . the sun always comes up. Use this time to see a more exciting and prosperous future . . . Keep in mind what could and should be regardless of what is.
   
5. Keep your perspective – Always remembering that it is just money, a car, a house, a job or whatever is causing you the moment’s stress . . . this too shall pass. Last night I visited a neighbor whose wife, age 40, is in the hospital with little hope. Perspective is the ability to keep in mind “what” is really important!

Lead with intention and purpose this day, week and month.
You will watch turbulent times turn into extraordinary times!

What do you focus on when, "things get tough and the tough get going"? Post an idea!

Participant in our poll to see which Leadership Hint is the most effective for you!

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Be As If You Are

In life and in business there are always first times.

I remember my first wrestling match in 9th grade on the Junior Varsity team. My coach told me I looked nervous. He was right! I was so nervous I wanted to go hide. He gave me a small key to success when he said, “act as if you are a state champ.” Well, I could do that. I wasn’t sure what would happen when the whistle blew but I could look good. It must have worked, I won 7-4.

When I was 28, I had to run my first Dale Carnegie workshop. If the workshop went well up to 6 individuals might enroll in my upcoming public class. I tried to get someone else to run the workshop. I had never conducted one and sure didn’t want to blow it. No one was available. I had to do it.

I arrived an hour early and sat in my car in a panic because this would be my first time. I then remembered Mr. Carnegie’s words, “if you act enthusiastic you will be enthusiastic.” I could do that. Then, I remembered the words of my junior high wrestling coach “act as if you are a state champ.” Well, I got out of my car with enthusiasm and renewed confidence. This company was so lucky because the best Dale Carnegie workshop presented on planet earth was just about to happen in Chambersburg, PA this very morning. Yes, great things were about to happen.

After 20 years, I really don't remember too much about what went on in that workshop. I do remember two clear results.

1. All six potential class members enrolled.

2. I never again asked someone else to run a workshop for me when I was available.

When you train and commit yourself to being the best that you can be at what you do on planet earth you will exceed expectations, yours and others!

Put another way. . . .

Be it!
Act like it
Think like it
Feel like it
Look like it
Speak like it

What are you going to differently to today to “Be it?”

Life Lessons from Abe

Be inspired by a true story of what a 15-year-old learned from a 60-year-old! It’s about a 2.5 min read that’s well worth the time. At the end, tell me what you think.

It was a hot June Saturday in 1975. My dad had informed me the night before that I’d be helping Abe, our farm hand, pick rocks the next morning. To say I was not excited about the next days work would be an understatement.

Abe grew up as an Amish man and converted to the Mennonite faith early in life. He worked for our family for almost 40 years. Abe loved to work, always finished what he started and never worried about time. I, on the other hand just want to get started, finish as soon as possible and get ready for my baseball game later in the day. We met at the tool shed and threw two crowbars into the truck. I sure hoped we did not run into any rocks we would need the crowbars for because that could take . . . . f o r e v e r.

Rocks in Pennsylvania need to be picked after the fields had been plowed and before the ground is worked for planting. To pick rocks, two or three men walk behind a flat bed truck and when they find a rock they throw it on the flat bed. There are always plenty of rocks to be picked.

This morning it was just me, a 15 year old and Abe. The good news, I got to drive the big truck even though I was a year away from getting my PA drivers license. The bad news, Abe was a perfectionist and did not want to miss a rock. Within minutes of arriving at the field Abe had the crowbar out wedging a giant rock from the soil. I began to think I might miss my game and we might be here forever. And where did all these rocks come from anyway?

Two hours into our job we had made one pass through the field. The truck was half full and I was tired and thirsty. The temperature had soared to at least 85 and it felt like 100. Abe, who was 60 years old, seemed happy. He was singing, whistling, smiling and occasionally reminded me of missed rocks. I had walked by them hoping he would not notice, after all a few rocks left, who really cared.

After that first pass we took a short break. Abe found ways to encourage me, to catch his enthusiasm for picking rocks. Abe said, “A job was only worth doing if it was done right the first time. Rework was a waste of time and it was actually stealing from your employer.” For Abe work was simple: do the best you can do, and do it right the first time. I was feeling guilty knowing that I might not have met his expectations and I was determined to do better on the second pass.

Ten minutes into the second pass I lost my renewed enthusiasm and just wanted to be done. So I asked Abe the question that had been haunting me since we began. “Abe how much longer will we be picking rocks?” Abe looked at me with the most bewildered look and simply replied “We’ll be done when all the rocks are picked.”

Abe recently died at age 93. What a mentor he was in my life. Helping mold me and teaching me life lessons within the tasks of picking rocks, holding a hammer, building a cement block wall, picking cherries, butchering hogs, building a hot fire to cook the head meat, pouring concrete, gathering eggs, framing a wall, painting a fence, sweeping a barn floor, unloading hay, or doing small chores right.

Abe taught me how to live:

• Be committed to excellence
• With a work ethic to finish well
• Enjoy what I have
• Always give thanks to God, not just in prayer but in how I lived, for His blessings on my life.

Who has inspired you with a life lesson?