"He who smiles in a crisis has found someone to blame."
I chuckled when I read this quip because, like all good humor, it rings true. Often, the sole optimist in a crisis is the one who's pinned the blame elsewhere.
Yet crises offer real reasons for positivity. Every challenge hides opportunity seeds, however tiny amid the turmoil. Great leaders like John C. Maxwell prove you can face any storm with confidence and grace. We may not smile, but we advance knowing solutions are attainable. The foundation? Rigorous preparation for informed decisions.
Leaders know crises are inevitable. Draw on these battle-tested tips from Maxwell to meet them head-on.
Related: 4 keys to building your confidence
1. Prepare for all possibilities.
Legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden cherished practice above all. "When practice is perfect," he said, "the game becomes automatic." Skimp on prep, and it's too late come game time. The same holds for crises—if you wait until one hits, you're already behind.
List potential scenarios, map responses, and learn from industry experts who've weathered similar storms. Their insights provide proven strategies. You can't anticipate everything, but readying for likely threats builds automatic responses. Familiarity breeds confidence.
2. Define reality.
Management icon Peter Drucker warned, "A time of tumult is a dangerous time, but its greatest danger is the temptation to deny reality." Effective leaders confront facts head-on.
Alone, assess: What is the problem? What caused it? How to fix it? Consult your team, break it into solvable and unsolvable parts. Focus on what you control, craft a measurable action plan, and commit. Clarity fuels confident progress.
3. Communicate often.
Defining reality benefits you and your team. Avoid hunkering down in silence—it erodes trust. Openly share the situation and your plan. Transparency unites everyone.
Pastor Andy Stanley notes, "Vision leaks." Repeat the message consistently so your team internalizes it. Ongoing communication strengthens faith in your leadership and their resilience.
4. Learn to grow.
Pastor Rick Warren says, "The moment you stop learning, you stop leading." Avoid repeating failures—reflect deeply. Experience isn't the best teacher; evaluated experience is.
High achievers view setbacks as growth fuel. Post-crisis, debrief: What worked? Where to improve in leadership, communication, problem-solving, and team-building? Gather team feedback. Crises stretch us uncomfortably, but they forge stronger leaders.
Tough times demand tough choices, but preparation and execution equip you to navigate any crisis with poise.
Related: 22 things to read this month to boost your confidence
This article originally appeared in the March 2017 issue of SUCCESS magazine.
