First Century BC writer Pubilius Syrus, often referred to as Publius, wrote that anyone could steer the ship when the sea was calm. What he left unsaid, but which could not be said more clearly, is that it takes someone special to steer the ship when the storms thunder and the ocean roars. It takes a Great Leader.
Great Leaders face troubled times and the storms that assail us with a calm demeanor and a steady hand. They possess the ability to assess the situation, consider their options, choose the most appropriate course of action; and then, they calmly take action with confidence that the right path has been chosen.
When others might panic, might run away, might freeze or become incapable of making the most basic decisions, the Great Leader steps to the forefront and with quiet confidence takes charge, directing others to take actions that will successfully steer the team through the crisis and to a successful outcome.
The confidence demonstrated by Great Leaders inspires those who follow them and makes it easy for team members to undertake their part of the plan, their responsibilities, with confidence that they will succeed in whatever they have been asked to do.
When things look bad and others turn to you and ask, “What should we do?”, understand that they see in you the leadership that they seek. Now, it’s up to you. Will you throw up your hands in a gesture of surrender crying out, “why ask me?”; or, will you become the Great Leader that they want and need and respond with confidence, “Follow me and we’ll get through this together. Everything will be alright.”
Tom Hoisington is a speaker, trainer, and author whose goal is to provide leaders and potential leaders with tools that empower them to build teams that are creative and cost effective along with a clearer understanding of how personality types interact within those teams. He can be contacted at tom.hoisington@eagleoneresources.com