The Resilient Leader

Being A Resilient Leader During Times of Change
Power Region Leadership Development Group
February 14, 2008

Uncertainty & Change

• Paradigm Shifts
• Economic Woes
• Restructuring
• Layoffs
• Divestitures
• Management Changes
• New Technology

Why I Chose This Topic
Uncertainty & Changes MAGNIFY Insecurity
“How will this affect the psyche of my people?”
A conversation with my Pastor on leadership training
From “Managing at the Speed of Change” By Daryl Conner:

• Future Shock syndrome
• Too much change in a short amount of time makes people cave in. High stress results in ulcers, conflict, and sometimes, even suicide.
• Future shock is that point when humans can no longer assimilate change without displaying dysfunctional behavior.
• Symptoms:
• Irritation
• Distraction from work
• Poor communication
• Reduced trust
• Defensive and blameful behavior
• Poor decision-making
• Conflict with co-workers
• Decreased team effectiveness
• Inappropriate outbursts at the office
• Venting job frustration at home
• Low morale
• From “Managing at the Speed of Change” By Daryl Conner:
• Key wisdom in a nutshell:
• To prosper, remain competitive, or simply survive, leaders need to respond to a growing number of profound changes in how they govern countries, structure companies, conduct business, treat employees, and deal with customers.
• The main ingredient of success is the ability resilient people have to understand and use to their advantage the principles underlying basic human patterns that operate during change.
• People who demonstrate resilient characteristics most often prosper during disruption and disorder. They regain equilibrium faster, maintain a higher level of productivity and efficiency, preserve their emotional and physical health, and achieve more of their objectives than people who experience future shock.
• “Human beings are like tea bags. You don’t know your own strength until you get into hot water.”

Discussion Question:
What Are Some Ways We Can Deal With Uncertain Days?
From “Managing at the Speed of Change” By Daryl Conner:

• Resilient people or type O’s…
• Display a sense of security and self-assurance
• Have a clear vision of what they want to achieve
• Demonstrate a special pliability when responding to uncertainty
• Develop structured approaches to managing ambiguity
• Engage change rather than defend against it
• Last word: Resilient people are positive, focused, flexible, organized, and proactive

My Own Tips…

• Attack Insecurity with Information!
• Communicate Both Upward and Downward
• Don’t “Fill in the Blanks” – Ask Questions
• Don’t “Leave Blanks that Can Be Filled In” – Anticipate Questions
• Think about how what you communicate can/will be interpreted
• Remember the verbal AND the NON-VERBAL
• Attack Anxiety with ACTION!
• The old saying: “Stop stewing and start DOING!”
• Don’t solve problems you don’t have.
• It’s a valuable trait to “think ahead” and plan for contingencies.
• Like any good thing you can take it to an extreme.
• Attack Uncertainty with Attitude
• Leaders have a responsibility to CHOOSE our attitude strategically
• Attack Automatic Thoughts with Autonomy OVER your Thoughts
• Check out the book: The 4:8 Principle – By Tommy Newberry (Based on Phil 4:8)
• The one thing over which you have complete control: your thoughts
• Attack Fear with Faith
• During uncertainty we seek to CONTROL
• We should control what we can…but,
• Some things are out of our CONTROL
• That’s where the FAITH COMPONENT of life is so important!