Lead Through Adversity and Change

Universally acknowledged as one of the world’s wisest leaders, King Solomon, applied leadership principles that are as relevant and powerful today as they were in his own time. This article examines the importance of leading through adversity and change always learning and growing as a person and a leader.

King Solomon, a leader synonymous with wisdom, says: “The intelligent man is always open to new ideas. In fact, he looks for them.”

Wise leaders are always preparing themselves and their group to meet the future. They create a positive and optimistic approach to support themselves and others. To learn how to lead is largely a matter of getting acquainted with the development we are a part of, constantly seeking knowledge and new information that will move things forward.

Development takes place all the time. We are in a never-ending process of transitioning from yesterday, to today and towards tomorrow. The world is changing physically, socially, and economically at this very minute. When we recognize that life itself is about development, our task becomes to creatively resolve the various situations we encounter and to see things in new and different ways.

We can all count on situations where we will experience adversities, difficulties or problems. But by accepting change as a natural part of life and leadership, we are taking important steps towards renewal. In effect, we are setting ourselves up to learn more of life’s exciting journey.Wise leaders realize that success is right on the other side of perceived failures. They see failure as a part of the process of development and as an opportunity to gain experience and to learn. They are constantly asking new questions, and that opens up new perspectives.

Solomon says, “A man who refuses to admit his mistakes can never be successful. But if he confesses and forsakes them, he gets another chance.”

Failures contribute to the discovery of weaknesses. Then our analysis of what occurred makes it possible for us to gain support, practice, and learn so we can strengthen what was weak. So, even if this sounds rather strange, we actually learn more from failure than success.

Wise leaders consider adversity as temporary information on how far they have come on their journey. Using adversity, they mobilize people to gain new energy and power for the next step. They examine perceived failure for the learning inherent in it, and they communicate in a way that produces positive energy in their group, thus building an incentive to take even stronger action.

As Solomon noted, “The swiftest person does not always win the race, nor the strongest man the battle. Wise men are often poor, and skillful men are not necessarily famous.”

Wise leaders realize that – as many say – life is not fair. We are sometimes struck unfairly by losses, which may be heavy burdens to bear. But even when we suffer considerable losses, we still have something most valuable left, something that no loss can take away: The freedom and power to choose how we will respond to life situations and events, and how we intend to address other people we encounter along the way.

Next to life itself, the power of choice is our greatest gift. Wise leaders know that It’s not what happens to us – but what happens in us that really counts so they choose to respond constructively to life events and situations. They choose to turn the negative into something positive and learn from it. They choose to be grateful for life’s trials – which they view only as opportunities for learning.

We all have access to that power within us. We have to accept life as it is and balance what we receive against that which we expect, so we always will maintain a positive movement forward.

Solomon advises, “Don’t you know that this good man, though you trip him up seven times, will each time rise again?”

Wise leaders draw strength from setbacks and learn from failures. They realize that trials make people to grow, that the suffering teaches us patience and patience develops internal strength and character. We mature. They know that the more experience they gain and the more setbacks they overcome the better and stronger leaders they will become.

Therefore, they are working hard on themselves and their groups to look at every situation from newer and greater perspective. They retain the view that gives them the strength and energy to proceed with commitment and interest. We are especially important for each other, to support each other in such an approach.

Solomon tells us, “Keep on sowing your seed, for you never know which will grow – perhaps it all will.”

During challenging periods, wise leaders focus on short-term objectives and progress, and they strengthen initiative and the ability to act. Accomplishing small steps gives encouragement to go further and strengthen the group’s self-confidence and sense of being successful. Each day, step-by-step dealing with and resolving opportunities, information, and issues that we are facing, brings forward the best in us. This is how we grow!

Solomon says: “Look straight ahead; don’t even turn your head to look.”

Wise leaders teach themselves and their group to identify the focus of concern—that which they can directly affect and that which they can affect in a process forward. They continue with determination to gather experience, which they then turn into wisdom. They renew their group’s cultures and in this way build the new society. Wise leaders feel the deep pleasure and the call to create the new, better, and greater.

To become a wiser leader:

• View life as a constant process of development.
• View perceived setbacks as opportunities to learn and grow.
• Balance what you receive against what you expect.
• Help your group to analyze in all the different situations what they did well, what could be developed further, and how others have done.
• Focus on short-term objectives and progress in tough periods, which creates energy and positive ambition to keep moving in the face of adversity.
• Know that the situation is never as bad as it seems and never as good as it can be.

I encourage you to reflect and act on the following questions as seeds for your own self-exploration and development:

1. What experience has been vital for your development?
2. What turning points have there been in your life?
3. What have you learned from life so far about what is most important to you?
4. What personal challenge are you facing today?
5. What are you going to do about it today?
6. Think of 2-3 short-term objectives you can focus on get you closer to overcoming your greatest challenge.

Lead by Guiding Values

Wise leaders create guiding values for themselves and the organizations they lead. These values form the foundation for the organization’s culture and function as a guiding light for coworkers, helping them make correct decisions and work toward common goals.

These values are best reflected in time-tested principles, which are deep, fundamental truths with universal application. These truths address laws that are as firm in “human physics” as the law of gravitation is in natural physics. For example, the law of gravity says that if you drop an object from the roof of a building it will fall to the ground. We know, with absolute certainty that this will happen every time we do it and we don’t question it. In the same way these human truths are equally reliable. They are not only a set of values, but they are the foundations of human effectiveness and interaction.
When leaders align with universal principles such as trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, honesty, compassion, excellence and perseverance they create the conditions for long-lasting success.

King Solomon, a leader synonymous with wisdom, says: “A good man is guided by his honesty.”
Leaders have to be clever and competent, but they must also have sound values and a powerful sense of integrity. In good times as well as bad the most effective leaders stay true to their unique set of values. They do what is right and tell the truth in all areas of life. That doesn’t say they are perfect or that the struggle to be true to themselves and their values isn’t a life-long journey. And it’s not just in the major decisions that this quality is needed; integrity in little things is equally important. There are no degrees of integrity. You either have it or you don’t.

We value honesty more than any other virtue and we appreciate people who represent a strong value system. If we are to follow someone, whether it is in business, school, or politics, we want to feel faith and confidence in that person.

Solomon says: “It is far better not to say you’ll do something than to say you will and then not do it.”

We expect our leaders to set a good example and act in an exemplary and positive way. Effective leaders live as they learn through acting in accordance with vision and values. As the saying goes: Our actions speak louder than words. That our words and deeds are aligned constitutes the basis for credibility of leadership.

Wise leaders set a good example by acting in accordance with higher values. Those values permeate their behavior and promote confidence. They range from creating good relations to fully completing tasks. Quality and creativity are the key words.

What the leader spends time on and pays attention to counts. Wise leaders deliberately devote time to the group’s viability and development. Supporting both the group and the individual becomes the norm. When people in the group see that words and deeds are consistent, this creates credibility. And it is through being credible that a leader can encourage a long-term commitment from the group.

Solomon says: “Without wise leadership, a nation is in trouble; but with good counselors there is safety.”
Wise leaders understand their role of creating the arena for their employee’s success. Such an arena makes it possible for the employees to feel inspired challenged and that they are working towards an exciting future worth fighting for. It makes it possible to interact in a winning way in relation to their surroundings. We as individuals are unique and at the same time complementary. To develop fully, we need supportive leadership.

Some leaders create “leadership by enthusiasm” when facing a task with themselves at the center. Others lead by providing a clear picture of the situation and opportunities available in it. Still others have a more methodical, step by step manner of leading the group. A wise leader provides a sense of continuity for the group and defines limits that all have to comply with – especially the leader him/herself – regardless of their leadership style.

Solomon says: “Whatever you do, do well.”

We all possess a greater potential within us. The question is where do we find the situation and the people that can bring out this greater good. “How can I create my future” and “How can I lift those around me” will be the key questions for enhanced leadership.

Wise leaders realize that there is only one way to go. It is to deepen one’s own awareness of and confidence in the future. The responsibility that lies before us as leaders is to always operate for the good, for a better future, and a better world. This is a deep understanding of and commitment to the values that possess a weight and validity beyond one’s own self, and which gives life greater quality and larger dimensions.

To become a wiser leader:

• Empower your co-workers to participate in the development of the group’s common guiding principles. Ask question and discuss: What do we want to stand for? What do we consider as truly important? How do we want to interact with each other and others in order to provide value?
• Set aside time for your own reflection on what you value and what you want to stand for in your life and leadership.
• Deal with those in your environment with dignity and respect.
• Devote time to the group’s viability and development.
• Know and honor your commitments and promises to the entire group.
• Serve as a good example when it comes to relationships, attitudes, and work habits.
• Know that what you, as the leader, spend time on and pay attention to counts.
• Create the arena for your employee’s success.
• Always operate for the good, a better future, and a better world.

Questions for your personal reflection:
I present you with the following questions and exercises to reflect over, as seeds for your own exploration and development.

1. Think of 2-3 people you admire who have influenced you positively. They may be managers, teachers, parents, relatives, friends, sports leaders, historic figures, etc.
   a) What do you most admire about these people? Write out the names of the 2-3 people you are thinking of and 2-3 key words that describe what you most admire about each person.
   b) Which of these people’s characteristics would you like to develop?
2. Imagine you have been selected as the Leader of the Year. You are invited to a meeting where representatives from industry and politics will honor you for your efforts. Several people will praise your achievements and character. Write down the words you would most like to hear. Which descriptions would make you proud?
   What weakness are you hoping they will not have noticed?
3. What are your organization’s core values?