Leadership Skills in the Workplace

Maintaining Gains Made

LEADERSHIP BRIEFS

01 Overcoming Adversity

Objectives

Increase determination.

Reinforce participants’ beliefs that they can overcome adversity.

Remind participants that even bad events often have long-term positive outcomes.

Lesson

It’s fairly easy to remember the rules of great leadership when things are going smoothly—the economy is plugging along, the company is meeting its goals, there are no large and threatening change initiatives underway or looming ahead. It easier to remember to listen well and share information, provide employees positive feedback, encourage participation, serve the internal and external customer, and always think in terms of quality and safety.

But what happens when you confront a bump in the road? This is the real test of the leadership lessons you have learned. Can you stay the course and continue to do the right things, even when you are getting pressure from above to meet goals, or the budget is suddenly tightened, or you may be facing layoffs?

Personal Reflection Activity

1. Name one adversity you have faced in the past your own life. What “leadership” strengths did you call upon within yourself to overcome the adversity?
   
2. Divide a piece of paper in half lengthwise, making two columns. On the left-hand side, make a list of as many bad things as you can think of that are happening in your own life and in your workplace. For each bad thing, think of one or more good things that also are happening or are likely to happen as a result of the bad. Write the good in the right-hand column opposite of the bad. Volunteers can share with the group some of what they wrote.
   

Questions for Group Discussion

1. Recall a time when you have faced an organizational adversity. Discuss what happened during and after the crisis. What did you learn from that experience? In what ways could your own or your organization’s response been strengthened?
   
2. Is there ever a time when reverting to command and control management would be prudent?
   
3. Determination and not succumbing to depression plays a big role in creating a positive reaction to adversity. How can someone develop greater determination rather than giving up?
   

Activity

Meet with a partner to discuss the following situation:

You have just experienced a string of unfortunate and disheartening events. Your house was recently broken into and all your electronic equipment was stolen; your teenager is hanging around with the wrong crowd and has been in minor trouble with the law; you have been having to work long hours because your company recently had a layoff; and, after years of feeling neglected, your spouse is threatening to leave you.

Work with your partner to discuss the healthiest and most creative ways you can think of for overcoming the adversity of this situation. Write your ideas down and be ready to share them with the group.

After 8-10 minutes of partner discussions, each pair shares their ideas with the entire group. Then have your group members answer these questions:

Did it help to discuss these adversities with a partner?
Did hearing the ideas of other pairs help you to think of new ways to overcome the adversity?


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