Crisis Reveals Character

It has been said that character isn’t reflected by who you are on your best days, but rather who you are on your worst days. 

When my plans are working, it’s easy to stand tall. To speak with confidence. To encourage. To reflect the character established as part of my vision. When things are going well, your team is performing exceptionally, your metrics are through the roof, forward facing projections look outstanding and morale is at an all-time high, it is much easier to emanate a positive perspective.

What about the opposite scenario?

I’m not talking about just a bump in the road – or a hurdle to jump. I am talking about a pure meltdown affecting you and your team. An unplanned failure. A devastating event. A crisis. Uncertainty disrupts your daily routine, fear strikes your team, daily processes are shuddered, metrics take a nosedive, future projections turn bleak and those still working are looking to you for some glimpse of hope. What’s next?

I’ll be honest. There are times when my initial internal reaction to a crisis may be far more apathetic or insensitive. Whether it is my innate protective mechanism that give me pause – my own fight-or-flight response – I am innately aware of my own response to this proverbial rabbit hole:

Not again.  Not now.

I’m certain that is never the case for you.  I am sure you immediately let the event bounce off you like a bullet off a superhero’s shield – and run straight into the attack.  For me, I usually think of the disruptions to what I had planned – the trajectory I had already anticipated – and the required diversion from my routine. Sometimes I just ponder the unease with the current situation and postulate possible outcomes. 

Deep breath. Heavy sigh.

Although after those momentary internal reflections, I find myself starting to peel back the onion on the crisis at hand. Deep breath. Shifting from pity to possibility.  Moving from distain to becoming determined. Deep breath.

What about you?

Too often it is said that leaders are made during times of crisis.  I’d like to challenge that notion.  I believe leaders are revealed in the crisis… and made in the day to day grind - where growth may seem imperceptible, but compounds over time.  It is in crisis that true leaders step forward and shine – others step back and fade.  It isn’t the crisis itself that defines the leader, but what they stand for – and their preparation for such events that matters most.

However, I do believe that it is in the crucible of the chaos when character is refined. It is tested.  It is challenged. So let me ask you,

What is revealed when you are under fire, under pressure? 

Many times when faced with crisis, leaders lean on their reputation, their titles as a means to justify action (or inaction). Letting the whirlwind determine the destination, rather than guiding through the storm.  The truth of your character is expressed through the choice of your actions.  

John Wooden, renowned coach in the 1970s at UCLA highlighted this when he said, “be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your
reputation is merely what others think you are.”

What matters more to you, your reputation – or your character? Are you willing to compromise one to change the other?

During challenging times, our actions (or inaction) may not reflect what we perceive as the content of our character as we are blinded by our desire to keep our reputation. I believe failing to make a difficult (and character-defining) decision solely to maintain your reputation never wins in the end.

 We must remember; the content of our character is our choice.  Every day, what we choose, what we think, what we say and what we do is who we become.

What is the content of your character?

(What 5 adjectives describe you?) 

As far as growing a successful team, ability and talent cannot make up for a lack of character.  Ability may get you to the top, but character will sustain you there. This is true at work, home, or any other aspect of life – and it anchors with an unwavering need for trust.  Your teams must be able to depend on you to carry out what you say and be able to lead through bleak uncertainty.  Trust and character are inseparable.

Let this sink in… people will respect your character more than they respect your accomplishments.

When facing crisis, let your character define you. Be consistent.

Let your character solidify trust in your teams.  Be present.

Let your character be refined through the fire. Be unwavering.

Let character lead.

#LeadWithPassion Community

It has been said that the adjectives we use habitually in conversation reveals truth about our character.

What adjectives define your character?

Are these consistent at work, home and in life?

Take some time to reflect on these – ensuring your actions align with your adjectives!

“Only through experience of trial and suffering can the
soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired, and success achieved.”
(H. Keller)