Laura DiBenedetto is the CEO of Vision Advertising in Westborough, author of “The Six Habits” and a TEDx speaker. Learn more at www.vision-advertising.com and www.thesixhabits.com.
Updated: August 17, 2020
10 things
10 Things I Know About... Leadership in a crisis
By Laura DiBenedetto
10) Change may not be a choice, but how we respond is. Crisis can make us feel helpless, when we’re not. We control how we respond by bringing objectivity, the right mindset, and an eye for opportunity.
9) Emotion and action do not need to align. Separating what we need to do from how we feel about it is a superpower that moves mountains.
8) If we focus exclusively on the problem, we miss the opportunity. It’s easy to get caught up in the momentum of a problem. When we consciously take several steps back to gain a bigger perspective, we’re able to see possibility and abundant opportunities.
7) Vulnerability is a game-changer. Conversations go sideways when we insist on keeping up facades, refusing to be transparent about fears, concerns, and needs. When we break down walls between us and others, we invite respect, creativity, and co-creation of solutions.
6) Outcome is largely determined by mindset. When we adopt an empowered mindset and work on giving ourselves the proper care, respect, downtime and positive energy we need as humans, we’re better equipped overall.
5) We don’t need to have all the answers. We invite possibility when we don’t focus on answers, but on questions. Questions enhance our abilities, our networks, our communication strategies, and invite expansion into how we do business.
4) Stupid ideas can lead to good ones. Brainstorming should never include editing or filtering. When solving problems and working our way through crises, all ideas are fair game to start. Only when brainstorming is complete should we begin to review.
3) People crave realness. Crises push us to be on our best behavior, when what others really want is a real conversation with value and substance. Trite, politically correct, perfect communication is devoid of humanity and can come across as tone-deaf. The best customers a business can have will be the ones whose values align, which is revealed when we get real with people, even when it’s messy or imperfect.
2) Mistakes aren’t the end. We are not perfect, and don’t need to be. We need to genuinely care. The way back from a mistake is through sincere acknowledgement of it.
1) Marketing is more than we think. Marketing and branding include how we exist in the world, and how we treat others. During a crisis, outrage and fear run high. People remember how we conduct ourselves and how they felt because of it.
WBJ Web Partners
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