October 11, 2024
Leadership looks deceptively simple when the seas are calm and the skies are clear. But throw in a few surprise storms, and suddenly, your confidence can feel as shaky as an umbrella in a hurricane. If you’ve ever wondered how to remain steady at the helm when the going gets tough, you’re in the right place. In this blog post, I’ll explore how to lead with confidence in challenging times, featuring tips, strategies, and real-life stories from my own experience.
When you display confidence—especially under pressure—people notice it. It’s contagious. They are more likely to trust your judgment and follow your lead. This trust becomes the binding force that unites your team when circumstances threaten to fall apart.
Confident leaders establish the mindset for how challenges are perceived. By managing adversity with composure, you demonstrate to your team that setbacks are simply stepping stones to success, rather than insurmountable obstacles.
A confident leader uplifts team morale. Your assurance acts like a beacon in the darkness—steering and comforting everyone that they are on a path toward a brighter future.
When I first stepped into a leadership role at an investment company I worked many many years ago, I experienced a major delay on one of our targets that nearly toppled the company’s quarterly goals. Sounds dramatic? It was! Our entire team felt uncertain about how the setback would affect our future, and our morale dipped. What a great way to start your first leadership role, no? After the initial “oh-shit” moment, I started thinking about the things we can control and I put these on a list to help us get out of that unfortunate situation. Here’s how we dug ourselves out of the hole:
These steps helped me restore my team’s confidence in the strategy—that we put together collectively. While the eventual fix wasn’t perfect, it turned out to be successful because the team pulled it off together.
Why it Matters: Communication is the lifeline of any organization, especially when facing uncertainty.
How to Do It:
Pro Tip: I found that short “ask-me-anything” sessions each Friday helped my team clarify doubts and feel more involved in decision-making.
Why it Matters: Adopting a growth mindset can help you and your team see challenges as opportunities.
How to Do It:
Pro Tip: We do weekly brainstorming sessions to explore new ideas without fear of failure, which can lead to innovative solutions and a more confident approach to problem-solving.
Why it Matters: Leading with emotional intelligence (EQ) helps you understand how others feel, creating a more supportive environment.
How to Do It:
Pro Tip: I once had a valued team member struggling to balance work and caregiving responsibilities. This team member loved to come to work and it was a top performer. By offering flexible hours and moral support, we kept this person engaged and appreciative, reinforcing the trust needed for confident leadership.
Why it Matters: No leader is immune to making mistakes. Being transparent about them shows humility and builds credibility.
How to Do It:
Pro Tip: I once miscalculated a budget projection that affected the entire marketing for our last quarter of the year. After a sleepless night, I found the mistake, and I was able to correct the projected figures. I presented a new plan and admitted to my mistake, while I wanted the earth to open up and swallow me at the same time. I was able to turn a near-fiasco into a lesson in adaptability. Believe me, I did not make that mistake again!
Why it Matters: Even the most confident leaders need a reliable sounding board.
How to Do It:
Pro Tip: I work in the construction industry in a leadership role at a restoration company. Not a career move that I saw coming 20 years ago… I credit much of my confidence to our mentors and a leadership circle I joined early in my career. Sharing struggles and success stories helped me see problems from different angles—and find solutions faster.
Building your leadership confidence is an ongoing journey. Here are some resources I have found useful:
Leading with confidence in challenging times isn’t about never feeling uncertain—it’s about knowing how to navigate uncertainty with composure, adaptability, and empathy. From my early career hiccups to my current, more seasoned approach, the constant thread is a commitment to communicating effectively, learning from mistakes, and inspiring trust. By adopting these tactics, you’ll not only steer your team through rough waters but also emerge stronger and more resilient on the other side.
Continue exploring the resources and strategies above, because the journey to confident leadership is ongoing—just like those plot twists life never fails to deliver!
