Trying Times

“Tough times don’t last, but tough people do.”

~Robert H. Schuler

Pastor, Motivational Speaker, and Author

The old saying “it can be lonely at the top” may be true at times. However, as leadership expert John Maxwell says, “If we find ourselves lonely at the top, then we didn’t do something right.”

In your leadership journey, at times, you may have felt isolated. If you have ever had to flip a negative work culture, make unpopular decisions, or go against the grain to “right the ship” you may have felt alone. These are tough times. Anyone can steer the ship when the sea is peaceful. Just go with the flow. When the sea is not peaceful, great leaders step up and lead. That is what makes you different. Great leaders can stay in the game. How we approach these challenging times tells us a lot about ourselves.

Here are few tips I have used to stay in the game when times get tough:

–Keep the faith. Literally, drawing closer to God can be a great source of peace and restoration. Those personal times of communication with God can bring confidence, peace and chip away the shortcomings in my character.

–Draw upon history. Listening or reading about other great leaders’ journeys and how each have tackled their storms has given me great hope. Winston Churchill, George Washington and Henry Ford are just a few that come to mind.

–Find comforting quotes or scripture. Once you find a quote or scripture that gives you comfort or makes you think, hold on to it and use it. My favorites have given me great hope on my leadership journey. I am known to post them around my walls, in my truck and other places to remind me of why I lead and how best to do it.

–Find and talk to an encourager, another leader and someone who believes in you. Dr. Harry Ponder is one of the best I know. He is the kind of leader who makes you feel like you can lasso the moon if you set your mind to it. Dr. Robert Khayat was always bragging on the changes he saw our team making. Encouragers remind you of what you are really doing and provide that heart-felt and needed encouragement.

–Talk with those who are close to you and who want you to succeed. Family and old friends fit this well for me. I miss having my dad around, he passed away in 2018. He was great at giving me a one liner perspective to my problems. Once, when I was working through some real tough negative employee difficulties, he simply reminded me, “Rats and roaches flee when the lights come on.” It reminded me that I was turning on the light at work and making good things happen.

What gets you through tough times? I am always looking at getting better at weathering the hard times and welcome your advice on what works for you. Let me hear from you with your ideas.

Stay Strong!  

Jeff