You must learn to lead yourself.

Tough seasons!

In many countries, large and successful companies are laying off people in their truckloads to cope with their excess overhead costs.
Some companies have shut down had quarters in one country to move to a country with favorable policies and higher numbers in the ease of doing business.

Many companies have closed their manufacturing units in one country to move to a country like China where the cost of production is lower and thus profit margins higher.

Countries are increasing taxes as a response to the famine and companies are in turn shutting down factories as a response to the increased taxes and to save their companies. People are losing jobs and less than 30% of small businesses make it to the five-year mark.

These are the traits of tough times and seasons.

The seasons are tougher now than ever before, many are relocating to look for greener pastures in countries with better policies and higher standards of living. How do you lead in challenging times?

These happenings call for leadership.

This is placing a higher demand or responsibility for you.

If there is to be a solution, men and women must rise up and lead and chart destinies, companies, and nations out of the storm and into a safe harbour.

Who are the brave men and women who will rise up to the challenge to help their organizations, companies, and nations, to keep them from drowning, to rescue, and sail towards safe horizons?

Five skills that can help in leadership during tough seasons are:

Clear vision:

Everyone from the leaders on the frontline to the management and talent, there must be clarity of vision. When there is clarity of vision, talent can interpret and achieve desired goals. Get the vision, then long term goals, short term goals, and to-do lists. There is beauty in a vision properly interpreted.

Leadership:

Without great leadership, no one knows quite where to go. The leader is responsible for the success or failure of any team, either by action or inaction, which is subconscious sabotage. The success of any team depends on a present and secure leader who is not afraid to make decisions and own up to any mistakes. Then make things right.

Strategies:

In the implementation of any vision, the strategy is crucial to ensuring that corporate goals are met. In a tough time or terrain, the strategies must be brilliant and must result from thinking out of the box. You must experiment, analyse and adjust strategy on the go. New strategies are welcome if old strategies do not work. Trying new thought out strategies is paramount.

Results:

The goal of any vision is to meet the targets set. During tough times, there are those who get the results. Although there are many companies that get n results, you must determine to be in the top 3% that get the results.

Build on successes:

Keep doing what is working. Keep implementing new and innovative strategies. Be on the lookout for creative ideas that can distinguish you and distinguish your organization from the international scene.

I want to encourage you to stand up and be counted. You are what this time needs. You are the hero you have been waiting for.

First published on my blog on opera. Click here to see the full list.