A lot of leadership content I see is geared toward handling crises. And to be fair, having guidance on hand for unprecedented challenges is extremely valuable. I do see, though, that this approach can put us in a “damage control” mode versus prevention. We’re focused on putting out fires rather than fireproofing.
Your leadership is most visible, most real, in crisis. That’s when people actively turn to you. But great leadership shows up in unexpected places. Leading when things are going well is just one way you go from good to great! Your consistency, diligence, and strength in good times will make bad times that much easier to handle.
6 Ways to Make the Most of Your Leadership Role When Life is Good
#1 – Don’t get complacent.
Complacency kills innovation. When things are going well, it’s easy to stop pushing forward, asking questions, and valuing new ideas. We tend to take on an “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” mentality. And while in a sense we don’t want to mess with success, allowing it to hold you back from reaching new heights is not the answer.
Don’t get too comfortable. Leverage the good now for a greater good in the future. Keep refining your business, your strategies, and yourself.
#2 – Strategize for sustainability.
When success strikes, leaders must seize the opportunity. Success in an isolated moment isn’t enough. We must look at our good fortunes and reverse-engineer that success. How did it happen? Is it replicable? Sustainable? Scalable? Absolutely, enjoy the fruits of your labor. With that said, success is best when it lasts.
If your current model or circumstances of success aren’t sustainable, it’s your job to make it that way through analysis and careful adjustment.
#3 – Appreciate your team.
Some people are afraid to praise their team. They’re afraid of creating egos or complacency. But when things are going well, it’s time to heap praises upon your star players. Express gratitude in words, notes, rewards, bonuses – however you deem appropriate. People are often motivated and energized by positive feedback, but it’s often few and far between.
Recognize great work. Give credit where credit is due. And, ultimately, push your team to reach their full potential!
#4 – Lend vision, direction, and confidence.
It’s all too easy for leaders to go MIA when times are good. They feel as though they can recede into the background, only showing up when there are signs of trouble. Great leaders, though, know that they’re not just there to bail the team out of danger. Part of your job is to be that constant rock, that guiding light.
That may sound a bit dramatic, but the point is this: a leader sets the tone. You must keep your team focused, especially when it’s easy to coast. Champion your vision. Give purpose and direction. Inspire confidence as your team moves from known success to the unknown of the future.
#5 – Train up new talent.
As a leader, you are, in many ways, the de facto mentor of your team. Part of your job is to nurture their talents, help them develop new skills, and reach the heights of their professional and personal ability. There’s a temptation to lean on the same team that created success in the first place. While you certainly want to utilize them, you must beware of putting the burden of replicating success solely on their shoulders.
Teams burn out. People move on.
I’m not suggesting you wait for the other shoe to drop, but I am suggesting that you focus on cultivating new talent. Even if that doesn’t involve bringing on new hires, it does mean training the less experienced members of your team.
#6 – Stay risk-aware.
Success has a way of blinding us to risk. Your risk exposure doesn’t disappear just because you came out on top. In a leadership role, you steer the ship – and that means dodging icebergs along your course. What old risks need diligent management? What new risks crop up considering your success?
Risk mitigation never stops. The moment you think you’re too successful, too big, too rich to fail – that’s when you’re in trouble. Be diligent. Cover your bases. And never let success get in the way of doing things right.
How does your leadership style change when business is thriving? Share in the comments.