What Do You Do When Things Go Wrong?

Read time: 3 mins

I have been coaching managers for 10 years.

During that time, I’ve walked with people through a lot of tough situations. I’ve seen executives at multi-million dollar companies reduce their staff by drastic percentages, leaving many without income. I’ve facilitated difficult conversations between family members who are at odds in small businesses. In fact, I have seen so many challenging scenarios that I have (almost) lost that queasy feeling some of us get when faced with confrontation.

But do you want to know a secret?

Behind every difficult situation, there are 2 factors that make the difference between making things better and making things worse.

These factors are like keys that can either unlock a positive outcome or make the situation even more difficult.

Here they are:

1. When things go wrong, great leaders get Honest.

What better example of this than “Honest Abe” Lincoln?

In 1862, the Union Army suffered a series of military setbacks, causing public morale to decline and doubts to arise about the success of the war. Rather than downplaying or concealing the difficulties, Lincoln openly addressed the nation through his public speeches.

In these speeches, Lincoln honestly acknowledged the setbacks and challenges faced by the Union Army. He expressed empathy for the soldiers' sacrifices and the nation's hardships.

Through his honesty, Lincoln effectively communicated the gravity of the situation while instilling hope and determination. He outlined a clear vision of preserving the Union and ending slavery, inspiring citizens to rally behind the cause. Lincoln's honesty helped maintain public support, boost morale, and ultimately contributed to the Union's eventual victory in the Civil War

2. When things go wrong, great leaders rely on Empathy.

Empathy is one of the greatest tools in any leader’s toolbox.

It allows you to understand the importance of putting yourself in others' shoes, acknowledging and validating their emotions and experiences.

By cultivating a deep sense of empathy, great leaders create an environment where individuals feel seen, heard, and understood, even in difficult times.

They take the time to actively listen, show genuine concern, and consider the perspectives of those affected by the situation.

Empathy builds trust. If you prioritize this, you’ll be able to navigate challenges with sensitivity, find common ground, and work together toward meaningful solutions that benefit everyone involved.

TL/DR

When difficult situations come, here is your responsibility:

1. Be Kind

2. Be Honest

If you are Kind and Honest, you can make it through nearly any hardship.

I’ve yet to see this approach backfire.

See you next week.

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