Tue • Sep 22nd, 2009 • by Tom Nees • Comments 1
seizing leadership moments – the true test of leadership
Even though I strongly believe in and advocate for leadership development I am also aware that leadership often emerges from the crucible of challenges which come our way whether we are prepared or not.
It may be an event as overwhelming as a World War II which thrust Winston Churchill and Dietrich Bonhoeffer into roles they could never have imagined nor would have asked for. Or it may be something as private and close to home as a parent needing to intervene on behalf of a struggling child.
Leadership is mostly routine and predictable, without crises. But sooner or later some surprise event will force us to take the lead, to take charge, to weather a storm and give direction into the unknown future.
In a recent article Steve Gunderson, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Council on Foundations praises the decisions of charity leaders for their response to recent financial challenges. “What I’ve learned,” he writes, “is that you can’t schedule leadership moments — they find you. And how you respond to the challenges of your time defines whether you individually, or collectively, have met the true test of leadership.”
Years ago the organization I was leading was threatened by the misfeasance of a trusted staff member and resulting negative publicity. A wise elder, recognizing my distress, reminded me that how I handled what had happened was as important, if not more important than what happened. His counsel proved to be true. I convened the best minds I knew of to guide me and the organization through the crisis. That “leadership moment” resulted in increased respect and support for the organization.
Leadership moments are opportunities to be seized or squandered. New York mayor Rudy Giullani was admired for seizing the moment, giving courageous leadership following 9/11. On the other hand, government leaders squandered an opportunity to lead by by failing to act immediately following Hurricane Katrina even though the disaster was predicted.
As Steve Gunderson notes, no one could have imagined the recent financial collapse on Wall Street and its domino effect on nearly every organization. And yet, he points out, the leaders of charities he represents have stepped forward to secure the future of their organizations to the benefit of the common good.
The result may not be what these leaders would have chosen, but at least they met what he calls “the true test of leadership” – being present and guiding the way when faced with a leadership moment.
September 22nd, 2009 at 5:00 am
This and your previous blog on team building calls to mind Admiral Stockdale’s leadership during his imprisonment at the “Hanoi Hilton.” Jim Collins cited his leadership in his book, “Good to Great.” One of the many things that were inspirational about Admiral Stockdale is that, although he merited the respect of his military rank, when tested by an event no person would choose, he rose to the occasion and helped his fellow prisoners endure unbelievably harsh conditions, himself being tortured more than 20 times and even disfiguring himself for an appearance with the media to convey a message to leaders back home. By developing a method of communication, the “tap code” that was used so effectively, he also provided the environment for team building that is so important in any organization, even one as unpleasant as a POW prison. The Admiral responded to “his moment” and established himself as one of the greatest in the U.S. Navy’s 234 year history.