Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous

For me, these words really describe the world in which we are currently living. This concept originated with students at the U.S. Army War College, but these words have taken on a new meaning in today’s world.  The impact that the COVID-19 virus has had on our lives is beyond a health crisis. The loss of so many lives and the loss of jobs and livelihoods for millions of people has left in its wake many people who are fearful, angry, and uncertain about their future and that of their friends and families.

How can we help our family members, friends, co-workers, neighbors, and those who are in dire need? Yes, we should share some of our resources and help local businesses and charities. But, what else can we do?

LOVE, LISTEN and LEAD

Love

We need to show kindness to all; even those who are not kind to us. We rarely know the challenges or pain that another person is going through in their lives. Grieve and cry with those who have lost a loved one and be with those who are lonely and afraid. Realize that we unaware of how much other people are suffering. By showing care and concern for another person we can help them realize that they don’t have to face their challenges alone.

Listen

Sometimes people just need to vent or process what is happening to them by talking to another person. Listening to another person without judging them or judging their choices is a true gift. It enables the person to feel their emotions and sharing those emotions can relieve stress. Then they are more able to make logical decisions for themselves. Showing empathy and concern for others let them know that you really care about them. Most people have few if any people in their lives who will truly listen to them.

Lead

No matter what title or position that you hold, you can be a leader for those around you in times of crisis. In fact, it always amazes me to watch who steps up to meet the challenges inside a company or a family. These individuals don’t wait to be told what to do; they see a need and they take action. Today, many of us are reluctant to act because of fear or uncertainty. Be the person who stays calm when those around you are giving into panic or anger. Provide the direction and wisdom that those around you need in order to make a decision and move forward. Take the next step. Keep moving! And above all, never, never, never quit!!

As the Co-Founder and Principal of The Angel Advisors, Alan Lowe has devoted his career to helping executives—from Fortune 500 companies to startups—successfully assimilate into new roles, create powerful teams and develop cultures that attract and retain the best talent.

Combining more than 30 years of experience as a partner-level management consultant and executive coach and having more than 32 clients at a point in time, Alan recognizes that no two individuals have the same goals for personal fulfillment or professional growth. He focuses on understanding each client’s goals, determining how his or her business fits into the bigger picture – and then gives them the tools they need to achieve their entrepreneurial purpose.

If you are dealing with uncertainty during this stressful time, we can help!

Please contact us here for a 30-minute free consultation.

Creating a Strong Leadership Team

In order for your company to thrive without you being the driving force behind everything and the strategist to keep all the departments focused on the company priorities, you need to build a Leadership Team.

Here are some Steps to help you build the kind of Leadership Team that you really want:

1.     Be Selective about who you choose for your leadership team.

Start by assessing the people you already have on your team.  Be honest in your evaluation of their talent and abilities. They may not have the ability or the drive to help you get your company to the Next Level.

2.     Involve your leadership team by sharing information, holding them to high standards, and believing in their ability to deliver results.

High Performers want to be challenged. Sharing important information sends the message you trust them to understand and use the information wisely.  Maintaining high standards and believing in your team’s ability to perform enables you create a results-oriented culture inside your business.

3.     Work with you Team to create a Vision for the Future. This creates Buy-in to the Plan and makes it easier to hold leaders accountable for their piece of the Plan.

4.     Communicate, Communicate, Communicate

You must regularly reinforce the Vision with your team.  Take every opportunity to bring it up in meetings, in conversation, and in the normal course of your business. 

5.     Actively seek their input and ideas.

While using your own ideas may be easier for you, it won’t help you develop your leadership team.  Instead, ask your leadership team for their perspectives.   This can be done one to one, or during leadership team meetings.

6.     Ask, don’t tell.

When your leadership team brings you a challenge or a decision to make, resist the temptation to just “solve” the problem or make the decision.  Instead ask, “What do you think we should do here?”  

7.     Involve your leadership team in your quarterly Strategic Planning.

Consistently conduct quarterly Strategic Planning Sessions with your Team. As they get accustomed to this way of running the business they’ll contribute a great deal.  

8.     Enlist your leadership team’s help in holding your company accountable.

Do you regularly measure how well your company is progressing on reaching its most important goals, using the feedback to improve the business, or do you just react to things as they occur?

Giving your leadership team a real voice in assessing and holding your people accountable is a powerful way to get their full buy-in to the company vision.

9.     Give your Leaders permission to hold you accountable

This means you empower your leadership to hold YOU accountable for your behaviors, decisions, and contributions.

No one is perfect.   Your leadership team doesn’t expect that from you.  But if you want them to be serious leaders who takes ownership of their results; then you have to play by the same rules they do.

10.  Clarify your company’s values and make them the filter through which you make all your business’s tough decisions.

Encourage your leadership team to use them as a measure for hiring, leading, and making decisions. Occasionally ask them how they used the company’s values to make a big decisions in the heat of the moment.  It’s a great barometer of just how deeply your values have been adopted by the Leaders.

11.  Model the decisions and actions that you expect from your Leaders

A company’s culture is built by an accumulation of many small decisions made over a long period of time. In business, there are no throwaway moments; your leadership team watches everything you do. Stay true to your Company Values; remember that what you do and how you behave speaks Much Louder than anything you say.

12.  Remain Calm under Stress and Pressure

How you personally perform when the” heat” is high is Key to the Team’s success. If you get upset, angry and unreasonable, when the going gets tough, don’t be surprised if you see similar behavior from some of your Leaders.

As the Co-Founder and Principal of The Angel Advisors, Alan has devoted his career to helping executives—from Fortune 500 companies to startups—successfully assimilate into new roles, create powerful teams and develop cultures that attract and retain the best talent.

Combining more than 30 years of experience as a partner-level management consultant and executive coach and having more than 32 clients at a point in time, Alan recognizes that no two individuals have the same goals for personal fulfillment or professional growth. He focuses on understanding each client’s goals, determining how his or her business fits into the bigger picture – and then gives them the tools they need to achieve their entrepreneurial purpose.

Ready to get started? Contact us here for a FREE consultation.