Think Like a Leader
We know that adversity strikes everyone at some time - yet when it happens to ‘me’ it always seems worse. It may be an instance or it may be an ongoing state of serious difficulty or misfortune.
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Feel Like a Leader
Adversity distresses us – it leaves us feeling drained and disorientated. But when it strikes it is how we respond that matters. That does not mean suppressing our negative feelings but rather finding ways to cope.
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Act Like a Leader
Leaders take action in times of adversity – they don’t just sit back and take it. They take responsibility and move through it. They focus on their strengths – resilience comes through.
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Chitra Ragavan is the Founder and CEO of Goodstory, an advisory firm helping technology startups find their narrative. Her podcast, ‘When it mattered’, has the strapline ‘how pioneers are forged in critical moments.
When It Mattered is a podcast on the alchemy of adversity and examines how adversity forges people into pioneers during extraordinary moments in their lives. This is a topical interview with a failed political strategist turned comedy writer, John Macks. A long listen but a humorous and informative one.
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A short recollection from Leighton Ford, a minister who talks about a time of adversity. We have not given a link as it is behind a paywall but the sentiment is easy to get.
“What helped you during that dark time?” asked a young leader.
And I immediately answered, “My friend, my anamcharas” It is a lovely word, anamchara. I love the sound of it. It is the term the ancient Celts used to describe the men and women who were “soul friends” on their life journeys.” A testimony to the power of a friend in a time of adversity.
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This is a challenging watch. From IMD Business School comes an interview with Jerry White, Survivor Corps. Humbling.
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I would like to tell you that this is a winter scene from Loch Faskally at Pitlochry in Perthshire, Scotland – the hydro dam. However, it is August!
Anyway, for many of us adversity seems to build up then breaks through often leaving us overwhelmed.
An alternative view is that a dam helps manage raging waters – which view do you take when adversity strikes?
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Leadership and the Art of Struggle How Great Leaders Grow Through Challenge and Adversity. Steven Snyder, published by Berrett-Koehler in 2013.
I like books that are research based, where the author has studied what is actually happening among leaders rather than reciting a series of anecdotes. Snyder’s work has the ring of truth and so is a good practical read for leaders in the trenches – how do other leaders feel about adversity, what did they do about it and how can I respond better?
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Made in Hong Kong - Built to Last #36
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...without a little reflection, there is no Insight Added.
"Adversity introduces a man to himself."
Albert Einstein
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Lead well
Graham and Lesley
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This email is brought to you by The Leader (Scotland). It encourages leaders at any age or stage, in all sectors, to deliberately improve their leadership.
The Leader also provides confidential support, learning and development for leaders.
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