We are all used to thinking that leaders, ideally, are the people who always know what to do, can guide and direct us, solve all work-related problems, and even emotionally support and inspire us; however, we do forget that leaders are also people who get tired, frustrated, and confused. If you have ever worked as a manager, you would agree that there are times when you feel like everything goes wrong, no matter what you do. You may know all the best problem-solving techniques and have used them successfully many times before — but this time, they won’t be enough. Additionally, your team relies on you and expects you to be able to navigate the crisis. In times of uncertainty, you are the go-to person for your employees, which is why it is crucial to remain calm. Do you know the saying that panic can harm people more than the difficult situation itself? Well, don’t let it harm you.
Form a strong support system.
Every leader needs supportive people around them — those who not only provide comfort during times of crisis, but also offer solutions and constructive feedback on any problem-solving strategy. Create a reliable group of supporters who will help you gain a fresh perspective on the problematic situation and assist you throughout the resolution process. Sometimes, you need to look at things differently. Ask your team to brainstorm ideas on how to fix the issue. They might come up with brilliant suggestions. Also, seek support outside of your work circle. Sometimes, a good friend can propose an effective solution, even if they are not related to the field. Remember when you were a kid and couldn’t resolve a math problem? You’d probably ask a classmate or a friend to help you with it. Deal with a work-related problem in the same way you would deal with a math problem: if you can’t resolve it yourself, ask a friend to help. Moreover, it is a psychologically proven fact that emotional support plays a crucial role in problem-solving. According to the 1988 study “Social Support and Stress in Problem Solving” conducted by psychologists Shelley Cohen and Thomas Wills, it was proven that having a close friend nearby helped students feel less stressed during problem-solving, but their actual performance improved only when the friend provided useful and specific help. Very often, adults need the same amount of support, or even more, but compared to kids, they are usually shy about asking for it.
Take time to analyze and process.
Do not rush to conclusions or catastrophize every difficult situation. Successful leaders are usually calm and level-headed individuals with sharp analytical skills. If possible, take up to 24 hours to examine the situation before stepping in with a response. Your approach should be a well-thought-out strategy rather than an emotionally driven plan. Harvard Business School Professor Nancy Koehn suggests following Abraham Lincoln’s approach in dealing with concerns that need to be addressed. Lincoln would never rush to deal with critical situations. The more complicated the matter, the less likely he would make impulsive decisions. When you are overwhelmed with all the challenges, remember to pause and breathe before giving any response. Incorporating cooling-down periods into the problem-solving process is proven to be an effective leadership approach. It allows you not only to come up with a better solution to the problem but also prevents possible conflicts due to humans’ natural emotional responses to stressful events: when faced with a stressful situation, people have an automatic physiological response called the fight-or-flight response – the body’s automatic, instinctive reaction to a perceived threat, preparing a person to either confront (fight) or escape (flight) from danger. In other words, it is natural to feel anger as the first response, which is why it is crucial to take time to cool down.
Take care of yourself.
When responding to a crisis, do not forget about your emotional and physical well-being. Stress affects your health and mental state; thus, it is crucial to pay attention to your personal needs during this challenging period. Recognize signs of stress, such as headaches, teeth grinding, muscle tension, and digestive issues. Watch for changes in the quality of your sleep and appetite. All these warning signals should be addressed as soon as possible. Your team needs you to be healthy and emotionally stable, as you won’t be very helpful if your brain is foggy. Work on maintaining your sense of control to fight anxiety. When people in charge lose it, they might emotionally shut down, trying to solve everything on their own. Don’t let this impact you—remember that those around you and their ideas can be incredibly valuable during such times. Instead, loosen control and trust your team. Drink lots of water, eat healthily, take breaks, and try to unwind and digitally detox at the end of the day. Do not bring work home with you and do not let temporary work challenges affect your relationships with loved ones.
Viktoriia Kolomiiets | Writer
