As a leader, we owe it to the people around us to maintain a calm in the storm. That is not always easy to do.
But think about it. Imagine yourself being tossed about at sea. The storm clouds are roiling and the wind is lashing the ship. When you look to the captain, what do you want to see? Would you feel more confident and secure if your captain maintained a calm in that storm? How does it cause you to feel if the ship’s captain is panicked, distraught, showing obvious signs of stress and an inability to manage the situation?
People look to you in the same way. It helps them to remain calm and confident if you are exhibiting a measure of self-control, too.
There are circumstances we cannot control. What we can control is ourselves. No matter what we face, showing an ability to either handle the situation or to handle the way we navigate the situation is imperative if we are to lead.
This is the essence of leading. Others follow your lead. They will respond to a situation much the same way that you do. The more out-of-control you are, the more frightened and confused and out-of-control others will feel, too. Conversely, the more you can maintain a calm in the storm, the more others will try to remain calm, cool and collected, too.
When others see your ability to maintain self-control, they will be more confident in the situation and in you. Over time, as you navigate through numerous crisis situations, others will view you as a safe harbor. They will turn to you in a moment of crisis. They will draw from your strength in even the toughest situations.
To be a safe harbor, you must first be a good example. In order to be effective, sometimes you must set aside your emotions. The easiest way to do that is to ask yourself the question "Do I need to be emotional, or do I need to be effective in this moment?"
In truth, as a leader, sometimes your emotional response will simply have to wait. That doesn't mean you won’t experience the emotion. It means you are not displaying the emotion in such a way that it impedes progress toward an effective outcome.
To be a safe harbor, others need to know they can rely on your strength and predictability during the storm.
