Crisis reveals that there are things we cannot control but we can control our response.
What would you do if you woke up one fine morning to hear that what you have laboured for has been destroyed through means you could not control? This is exactly what Melcom managers in Ghana found themselves on Wednesday, November 7, 2012 as their Achimota store collapsed destroying properties, killing and injuring many people.
This crisis isn't an isolated case in the world of corporate leadership. A young political leader called David went out for expedition one day with his lieutenants and returned to see the worse had happened. There had been a massive raid on their families and properties by their enemy. David and the people shed tears but beyond that there were three specific things he did which all of us can practice in times of crisis. (Read story in 1 Samuel 30:1-8).
He Sort Encouragement: After crisis, you cannot rely on your people to give you encouragement. For David, his people were so pissed off that they threatened to stone him. The Bible says he found encouragement in the Lord. In crisis moments, you will be on a lonely path. Find your anchor of inspiration and hope before crisis ever pays you a visit.
He Sort People: The second step David took was to find someone who could help him through the difficult moments. The priest was David’s companion to trust and help him to the next level. Your followers and colleagues may desert you or fold their arms and tell you to shoulder everything alone, but it will take other trusted people to assist in crisis.
He Sort God: After seeking encouragement and the right people, you must inquire wisdom from God as to what decision to take next. He never took any decision on his own. He asked specifically, “Shall I pursue them? Shall I overtake them?” And God answered in the affirmative. This is a decision to act boldly to recover what has been lost. Your actions must come from reliable instructions.
Crisis is part of life and leadership friendly. Crisis reveals that there are things we cannot control but we can control our response after they have happened. The important question is not what we lost in crisis but how much we have grown with the crisis. If you want to grow, you must seek encouragement, the right people and God almighty just like David did. Be strong in crisis!
© 2012 Eric Otchere
(My passion is to build individual
and corporate capacities through
knowledge-based services.)