Now that’s a provocative title!
I’m sure you are wondering what the heck I’m talking about. No one likes crises, and people certainly don’t like forced change. So what do I mean by wasting a crisis?
For starters, we need to reframe how we look at a crisis. While on the surface it is a bad thing, if we dig deeper, a crisis actually creates new opportunities for learning. It gives a glimpse into how people can face adversity. It also illuminates how you handle things not going your way. As a leader, when a crisis occurs, you are the first person your team looks to for guidance and assurance.
In a crisis we are forced to make decisions. Whether big or small, a crisis necessitates we make choices. During a crisis, we are forced to quickly address a situation and make our next move based on our evaluation. The challenge with quick decisions is that we are put in a position where we are either reacting or responding.
Reacting is when the situation gets to you, and you act without thinking. Sometimes instincts work, but in so many cases reacting causes us to do something we regret once we have a chance to think about it.
Responding is when you slow down and think about what is happening. You gather the necessary information and once you have, you then decide how to act. Responding is a proactive approach to a problem. In the end, responding usually results in less regrets.
When you find yourself in a crisis, you’re given the opportunity to either react or respond. Which are you going to do?
No one wants to be in a crisis or life changing situation. But remember, other people are watching what is going on. In times of crisis, teams look to their leader. So, what are you showing your team – are you reacting or responding?
Never waste a crisis. Because in the process you may learn a lot about yourself.
Until next time…I’m Marty, make every minute count.
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