Self-possession and connectedness are essential when dealing with difficulty and challenges at the workplace, whether confronting competitive encounters or encountering the growing pressures of uncertainty and change. No matter how much acumen, maturity, and preparedness you have, you will be tested.
The question, however, isn’t if you’ll be tested, it’s what to do when you are tested. Leaders are always expected to be equipped with the right answers and armed with the right knowledge, but the truth is that sometimes, it’s a bit difficult to know what one ought to do next to maintain composure. Looking to an individual’s body language, attitude, agility, and availability are important indicators. For leaders in the workplace, what’s valued is elevated performance, acumen, the management of staff, and aptitude. Before attempting any extraneous efforts to combat difficulties in the workplace, be sure to address workplace culture, ensuring that employees and peers feel comfortable and secure in their jobs. More than that, they should feel appreciated.
During moments of crisis, composure isn’t merely invaluable, it’s essential. It’s the ability to handle; it’s the barometer of effectiveness. The competence to change one’s stripes, reinvent, reevaluate, and reimagine during times of professional adversity could mean the difference between boosting yourself and losing your job. Don’t panic; instead, look to past challenges and mentors and construct a way to solve whatever issue, employing a troubleshooting mindset. If that seems impossible, view the following tips for maintaining fortitude and self-assurance:
Don’t Let Emotions Rule Your World: Motivated and sufficient leaders tend to have a few things in common, and one of those things include an ability to keep their cool. They don’t scream, yell, lose control, or even react physically. These true captains of cool understand that unleashing emotions can confuse, distract, and intimidate underlings, and so they instead focus their attention on care and concern.
Don’t Take It To Heart: Often, it’s just business. Leaders understand that some criticisms, circumstances, and decisions aren’t personal jabs or agendas. Many time office politics and other influences impact changes within a space. The important thing is to maintain perspective and steer clear of defensiveness. If you’re finding it difficult to maintain composure, consider taking a walk or having a cup of tea to settle yourself. Obstacles can be a major test for you and your team, encouraging you to seek out proper solutions.
Maintain Positivity: While it’s easier said than done, practice being upbeat and tone-positive. Leaders are always being watched, monitored, and mimicked. Through your demeanor, you’re demonstrating being positive enables a leader to foster an attitude of hope and inspiration in their peers. That positive can also signify strength to employees who are weary due to chaos or dilemmas. Beat away uncertainty and focus your team toward improvement and involvedness.
Be Confident and Fearless: Fear can get the better of anyone, whether you’re at the top or near the bottom. Fear can be the item to undermine a cool persona, and complicate the ability to behave rationally or objectively. When that fear begins to seep in, pause and ask yourself why this is happening, what’s the worst that’s going to happen, and who you can look to help you realize that the problem has a solution? You’ll find that those answers are a bit closer than you think.
Take Your Time: Rather than being reactionary, take the time to edit out doubt and anger, and respond to issues with authority, confidence, and conviction. Leaders who deal in intentional decisiveness will find that their messages are better received and leaders are better respected.
Leaders should be accountable. Assuming responsibility and correcting actions is the best way to solve a situation before it blossoms into something uncontrollable. Also in the same vein of things, it’s important to feign familiarity with a new situation. When leaders demonstrate to underlings that they have knowledge, experience, and control, this garners respect and confidence. Ability to master and manage a situation sets the tone for success.