5 Benefits Leaders Receive During Times Of Crisis

“Never waste a crisis.”
Have you heard that saying? I certainly have, and I’ve discovered something powerful in its meaning. A few years ago, I watched a horrific decision that needed to be made (for the right reasons) play out in front of me. I knew it was going to lead to a crisis. What I didn’t know was how the people around me would use that crisis – for good or bad.
Here’s what I discovered through that process:

How to Leverage a Crisis

1) A crisis pushes people to determine what really matters most. A leader’s mind sharpens during a crisis. What really matters becomes very obvious. Protecting what matters is key, and it comes naturally in the face of a crisis. You’ll learn more about your leadership and your priorities in one day of a crisis than months of day-to-day management.
2) A crisis enables people to focus and think critically. This is where good leadership shines through. Anyone can lead in calm waters. In the rough seas of crisis, the best leaders help their teams focus and think critically about next steps (even when the end may not be in sight). It’s in these moments where followers look for a leader – not a fancy set of words or ideas, but clear, actionable next steps and a leader they trust to take them through those steps.
3) A crisis can filter out outdated commitments. Sometimes, during a crisis, leaders come to the realization that certain long-held commitments are now obsolete. The bold leader takes quick and decisive actions in this area. What represents an outdated commitment? It may be a long-term employee, a contract, an idea – anything who’s day is done. A crisis sharpens your focus on what matters most (see point #1) and shows you what needs to go.
4) A crisis can create a breakthrough. Glass ceilings keep you down. Often during a crisis, great leaders are appropriately distracted and taken out of their norm just enough to see a breakthrough. In fact, great leaders look for these moments of clarity in the midst of crisis. They want to know what the crisis is teaching them, and what they can learn from it.
5) A crisis should force servant-hood. A leader worth following is a leader who, in the midst of a bad storm, serves his or her team – not the other way around. The winds may be kicking up, but the best leaders are serving their team with actions and words regardless of the surroundings. So when the storm passes, the leader’s followers saw a good example of a servant’s heart, and they’re even more inspired to serve during the aftermath.
In the world of rainbows and puppies, everyone is a leader. But the reality is – and you know this – most people are followers. Leaders are leaders for a reason. They are resourceful and prepared people, so much so that they never waste a crisis.
This was a guest post written by Bryan Miles.  Bryan is the CEO and Co-founder of Miles AG, a conglomerate company consisting of eaHELP, MAG Bookkeeping, Render, Ellipsis, and others.  I personally recommend MAG Bookkeeping to every church and business leader I know.  With year-end giving fast approaching, make sure you click HERE or call 1-855-546-0022 and speak with one of their consultants today.

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