Leadership Sought

The times that leaders are most needed are when things are uncertain, stressful or overwhelming. Those are the times when leaders have the opportunity to assume a leader role, regardless of their title or experience. People who lead look for the chance to influence others to action and optimism.

For instance, when there is significant stress due to deadlines, work overload or other factors imposed on a firm, the evidence of leadership (or lack thereof) becomes acutely noticed. I know of firms where the positioned leadership were with the crickets when the Covid crisis hit. Their people were begging for leader assurance that they were still there and working on solutions. On the other hand, partners in other firms exhibited exceptional leadership by frequently and consistently communicating adjustments and updates as they happened. They were present and accounted for.

Leadership Shown

That’s nice, but your firm needs more than the few leaders at the top. You don’t require a title or have to be a decision maker to be a leader. But you do have to manage and monitor your own attitude and behavior.

People follow leaders who are present, active and accessible, especially when others need them most. Mark Kruspodin, managing partner of Duffy Kruspodin, LLP, and I conversed following the Monday Message last week. His comment was right on point when he said, “The workload gets really stressful around deadlines. You just have to be really mindful of your own behavior. You are not the only one who is this stressed.”

It’s interesting the various ways people respond to stress and overload. Some hunker down in their caves, avoiding the outside world, colleagues included. Others get cranky, or worse, become flame throwers blazing their way with intensity. Still others wilt and hide under the covers, bleeding all their energy with worry. Would those around you put you in one of these categories?

Leadership Demonstrated

When you are stressed, you are naturally tempted to pull inward. But you are leading when you ignore the wailing of others that the sky is falling and remain out there—present, active and available. These are moments made for leaders. This is where your leadership is demonstrated and perfected.

Who needs to hear from you today? Who needs some encouragement to persevere? Who needs some help thinking through a problem? Who needs you to show up? Because people lead each other.