Leadership for a Time of Pandemic

1. Leadership in uncharted territory requires adaptive skills

Adaptive leadership is what is needed at moments like that: when you find yourself without a map and recognizing that you have to lead your people into a reality where the world in front of you is nothing like the world behind you.

Uncharted territory demands new leadership. When faced with unprecedented challenges, leaders must navigate without established roadmaps or expertise. This requires:

• Letting go of past assumptions and "best practices"
• Embracing uncertainty and admitting "I don't know"
• Facilitating collective learning and experimentation
• Addressing competing values and managing loss

Adaptive leadership focuses on helping organizations evolve to meet new realities while preserving core identity and purpose. It involves mobilizing people to tackle tough challenges and thrive amid change.

2. Transformational leadership combines competence, congruence, and adaptability

Leadership is energizing a community of people toward their own transformation in order to accomplish a shared mission in the face of a changing world.

Three key components drive transformation:

1. Technical competence: Skills to manage current needs
2. Relational congruence: Character that builds trust
3. Adaptive capacity: Ability to shift values and behaviors

Transformational leadership goes beyond management to foster personal and organizational growth. It requires leaders to:

• Develop new competencies beyond traditional skill sets
• Embody trustworthy character amid uncertainty
• Model and facilitate adaptive change

The goal is both accomplishing the mission and transforming the people and organization in the process.

3. Listening deeply forms leaders who are attuned to change

Leadership begins in listening.

Attunement comes through deep listening. Resilient leaders cultivate the ability to hear:

• The hopes and fears of their people
• The needs of those they aim to serve
• The voice of God guiding their steps

Practices for developing listening skills:

• Lectio divina: Prayerful Scripture reading
• Asking more questions than making statements
• Engaging diverse perspectives through intentional dialogue

Listening helps leaders understand pain points, focus energy, and stay motivated to make a real difference. It shapes leaders who can navigate competing values and pace change wisely.

4. Observing before acting cultivates adaptability in leaders

Observation followed by creativity is becoming our greatest ally.

Seeing precedes solving. Adaptive leaders resist the urge to immediately act and instead:

• Step back to gain perspective (get on the "balcony")
• Observe patterns and dynamics in the system
• Gather multiple interpretations of the situation
• Look for creative possibilities amid challenges

Practices for developing observation skills:

• Writing "balcony journal" entries from multiple perspectives
• Debriefing experiences with a coach or mentor
• Deliberately pausing before responding to crises

Careful observation fuels innovative problem-solving and helps leaders avoid reactive decisions that may exacerbate issues.

5. Spiritual practices shape resilient leadership character

Practices create a kind of spiritual muscle memory, training us to respond to a crisis and resistance like it is second nature.

Deliberate practice forms leadership character. Just as athletes train their bodies, leaders can cultivate resilience through intentional spiritual disciplines:

• Listening prayer and Scripture meditation
• Reflective journaling and perspective-taking
• Engaging in challenging conversations
• Pursuing feedback and accountability

These practices shape a leader's capacity to:

• Stay grounded in purpose and values
• Remain teachable and open to new insights
• Attune to the needs of others and the leading of God
• Adapt creatively to changing circumstances
• Persevere through resistance and setbacks

6. Resistance and sabotage are normal responses to change

People do not resist change, per se. People resist loss.

Expect and prepare for pushback. When leaders initiate change:

• Stakeholders naturally fear potential losses
• Anxiety rises and can fuel resistance
• Some may actively try to derail change efforts

To navigate resistance, leaders must:

• Recognize it as a normal part of the change process
• Listen empathetically to underlying fears and concerns
• Create "holding environments" to process emotions
• Stay focused on the larger mission and vision
• Resist the temptation to abandon change or seek quick fixes

7. Resilient leaders find meaning and perspective in challenges

Seeing the overall emotional dynamics, the political positioning of many, the new potential for creativity, and the possibilities that are only beginning to ripen into fresh opportunities for continued creative responses gives us hope.

Perspective fuels perseverance. Resilient leaders cultivate the ability to:

• See challenges as opportunities for growth and innovation
• Recognize patterns and dynamics in complex situations
• Find meaning in the struggle of leadership
• Maintain hope by focusing on progress and possibilities

Practices for gaining perspective:

• Regular reflection and journaling
• Seeking input from mentors and trusted advisors
• Studying systems thinking and organizational dynamics
• Celebrating small wins and milestones

By finding meaning in difficulties, leaders develop the stamina to lead through prolonged periods of change.

8. A "rule of life" supports intentional leadership development

A rule of life, then, is not a set of regulations that followers of Jesus must adhere to in order to be saved or experience grace but rather a support system that enables the disciple to respond faithfully to the grace of the Spirit in ways that further growth and effectiveness in a life of following Jesus.

Structured practices foster growth. A leadership "rule of life" involves:

• Identifying key practices that shape character and skills
• Committing to regular engagement in these practices
• Creating accountability for follow-through
• Adapting practices to fit specific leadership contexts

Examples of practices in a leadership rule of life:

• Daily reflection and prayer
• Weekly learning and growth activities
• Monthly feedback and assessment
• Quarterly retreats for renewal and perspective

A well-crafted rule of life provides the structure and support leaders need to consistently develop resilience and adaptive capacity.

9. Crisis moments demand both swift action and reflective pausing

Part of what had changed my mind and prepared me to lead my team over the following weeks were the practices in this ebook: Listening and looking. Attuning and adapting.

Balance action and reflection in crisis. When facing sudden disruptions, resilient leaders:

1. Act swiftly to address immediate needs
2. Pause to gain perspective and process emotions
3. Listen deeply to experts and those impacted
4. Look for patterns and possibilities amid chaos
5. Adapt plans based on new information and insights

Key practices for crisis leadership:

• Regular communication with stakeholders
• Creating space for team processing and ideation
• Seeking diverse perspectives to inform decisions
• Maintaining personal rhythms of reflection and renewal

By balancing action and reflection, leaders can navigate crises while staying open to new opportunities that emerge.

Last updated: November 2, 2024