5 C’s Leaders Need to Provide in a Crisis

IIf we have learned anything as a country throughout our history, it is that how we lead leaders in times of crisis defines legacy and often decides whether it is reviled or adored. For times of crisis reveal the heart and skills (or lack thereof) of leaders far more quickly than times of peace and prosperity.

In churches, families, and work settings of all kinds, true leaders can bring people together despite the chaos that surrounds them. Here are 5 Cs leaders must provide in times of crisis.

1. Rest

Resisting the urge to panic in a crisis is crucial for leaders. This is how a leader lays the foundation for everything else that will follow. By remaining calm, a leader can think, analyze, problem solve, and communicate more effectively. Calm is not the absence of fear, but the presence of mind to put fear aside and focus on what is important.

2. Compassion

When we lose our ability to see the humanity in others, we begin to lose sight of our morals and ethics. Having compassion for the injured and suffering is also important for leaders when it comes to prioritizing resources and vulnerabilities in times of crisis. To ignore suffering is to undermine the power of self-sacrificing love.

3. Clarity

In a crisis, judgment and understanding can quickly be clouded by a flood of thoughts, emotions and questions. It is imperative that leaders are able to clear out the mental clutter and engage with what is known and can be done, rather than what is unknown and out of one's control. Just taking a breather and simply asking, "What do we know and what can we do?" is a good start for clarity.

4. Creativity

Great leaders can achieve what seems impossible in times of crisis, often because they are able to find creative ways to solve problems. Countless thousands of pages have been written about Abraham Lincoln's navigation through the Civil War, recounting how he continuously and creatively adapted to the resources and strengths of even his greatest rivals. A creative mind can find unexpected solutions.

5. Calculation

In football, you often hear the winning coach talk about the importance of half-time adjustments after a game. A true leader does not stay on autopilot in a crisis, but continuously absorbs new information to calculate and recalculate the possible paths through the situation. Leadership is not just setting a game plan for a potential crisis; It's evaluating and changing that game plan in the midst of a crisis when the calculations require adjustments.

I hope this list gives you some ideas on how to evaluate leaders in your life and inspires us to be better in any leadership context.

What advice would you give about leadership in times of crisis? Share in a comment.

By: 5 C’s Leaders Need to Provide in a Crisis