Your team members who responded to crises may now be ready for leadership.
BY JOSH SATERMAN for Fast Company
[Images: ALFRED PASIEKA/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/Getty Images; Rawpixel/Getty Images]
From divisive Supreme Court decisions and skyrocketing inflation there seems to be no shortage of chaos these days. And where there’s chaos, there’s stress.
Not only are leaders living through this chaos themselves, but they’re tasked with effectively leading their stressed-out teams through it as well. Leading through chaos is certainly a challenge for new managers, but even seasoned leaders can be thrown for a loop by novel events like a global pandemic.
Whether you’re a new leader, an employee who aspires to leadership, or you’re a long-time manager facing new challenges, these are our approaches and best practices for leading through chaos.
Uncertain and chaotic times create opportunities for new leaders to emerge. Employees who are looking to advance into leadership roles can look for opportunities in chaos. This is particularly true for diverse employees who want to offer a unique perspective on fresh challenges.
While it’s never an employee’s job to educate their organization, you can try to help your company find it’s voice during chaotic times. This doesn’t mean you have to go straight to leadership. If your company has a Business Employee Resource Group, start there. BERGs can offer people a space to feel more comfortable sharing their thoughts, opinions, and experiences.