3 tips for leading through crisis
A few years ago, I hit rock bottom.
My career was on the line, my family was hurting, the community around me felt betrayed and I had no hope. Not only was my family affected, but my team was challenged to operate at the same pace despite my personal issues.
The weight seemed overwhelming and my instinct was to run from it all. Then there was a day when I remembered Jesus' prayer in the garden, asking God to take his burdens from him.
Immediately following this request, Jesus reminds himself that his life wasn't about his desires and will, but God's. As I read this, I knew that giving up wasn't an option.
God had more for me and for my team. I continued to press on and lead through the unknown. I learned three valuable lessons that forever changed how I lead both myself and others through crisis.
1. Pray often
I often find my prayer life is the most regular and consistent when things are going well.
However, when they aren't, I tend to distance myself from God. When I am unhappy with someone, I distance myself from them. That's what everyone does, right?
Jesus shows us in Mark 1:35 that we need to create space daily for God. For him it didn't matter what was going on. He prayed often and throughout the day.
If it was important for Jesus, no matter what was going on, then it is for us too. When times are tough, our natural response should be to run toward God, not away from him.
2. Check in with your people
The Apostle Paul lived in a world of chaos, fear, disease, and persecution. You'd assume anyone in those times would resort to survival mode.
However, Paul tells the Christians in Philippi to look out for one another and to fulfill the needs of others before fulfilling their own.
In times of uncertainty, pain, confusion, disease, and chaos, one of the best things we can do to build trust, confidence, and faith in our teams is to let them know we care about them. Everyone has their struggles, health concerns, and family issues. As a leader, doing your best to understand these struggles will help you care for them better.
Check in with them. A team that knows you care will go to battle with you no matter the circumstances.
3. Stay positive in the moment
In the most difficult seasons of my life, I would get frustrated when people would tell me to stay positive. My life was spiraling out of control. How could I possibly even begin to think happy thoughts?
But I was missing the point. What they meant was staying positive today can ease the pain of tomorrow. Jesus tells his followers in Matthew 6:34 to not worry about tomorrow; it carries its own burdens, and today has troubles of its own.
By thinking of all of the potential negatives of tomorrow, I was failing at tackling the challenges of today. At the same time, by being so laser-focused on the future, I was missing out on the blessings of today.
If you feel this way, your team will sense it. A positive mental attitude isn't a band-aid meant to ease the pain. Rather, it helps us to not be weighed down by our fears.
Jesus was showing us that tomorrow hasn't been written yet, and all we can really do is win today.
In one of the darkest moments of my career, I was approached by a coworker who was inspired by my positivity and drive throughout the season. When he asked how I was keeping my head up, I simply reflected that I have no control over the outcome of tomorrow, so I do my best today and have faith that it will make me better tomorrow.
When you can't control the outcome, control the moment.
 | Sean Lord is a pastor, husband, and father. He enjoys writing about leadership, theology, and ministry. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps and currently pastors at one of the largest churches in the U.S. He spends much of his time mentoring and coaching pastors as well as leaders outside of the church. Learn More » |
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