I had the opportunity to see a speaker (Mike Wagner) a few weeks ago. He used unique language - “The Great Disruption” rather than COVID-19, Pandemic, New Normal and challenged us to think differently. This got me thinking, How do you lead if you are personally struggling? With a pandemic, racial tensions, personal loss or any number of struggles.
When you are struggling, it causes you stress and anxiety. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, “Stress is a response to a threat in a situation. Anxiety is a reaction to the stress.” While research has shown a certain level of stress keeps us moving forward, too much can paralyze us. How do we as individuals and leaders move forward in that spot?
Morra Aarons-Mele suggests the following:
- Acknowledge and accept your emotions – they are yours and focus on thriving because of your emotion. Learn to accept and leverage your anxiety to solve the issue vs ruminate on the emotion/situation.
- Play Detective – ask questions, pinpoint the cause(s)
- See if it is causing Physical Impact – do you feel tension in your body? Headaches?
- Sort out the probable from the possible – focusing what is possible vs the 1:1,000,000 situation
- Take Action – based on what you identified in the cause and what is possible, move – get-r-done…take small actions that will move you forward
These steps can move you forward as an individual – how do you translate them as a leader? The same steps AND add a communication aspect with others for each step and support them as they take action.
Take your chance and lead through the struggle.
Scott Burgmeyer
