What do you do if you're a leader facing challenges and obstacles?

Facing challenges and obstacles is part of our daily lives in a world of work with uncertainty, ambiguity and in constant change. Accepting that not only us, but any leader can face difficulties is very important, as is being open to different possibilities to increase our knowledge to overcome obstacles. Being transparent with the team, taking constructive feedback, seeking a mentor, all of this can help but, above all, don't run away from obstacles and difficulties; they do not disappear, but they can become more complex.

As an Industrial/Organizational Psychologist, I'd like to comment. Leaders who share their vulnerabilities and who lean on others such as peers, managers, and direct reports for guidance have been shown by research to be more well-liked and respected. Building top talent requires leaders seek feedback through a multi-rater instrument (such as a 360 degree feedback survey) and executive coaching, preferably from an external coach whom they can work with to discuss and handle challenges in a confidential manner. Working to develop learning agility, adaptability, and resilience are key.

A few tips I've seen working both for myself in my corporate days and for my clients now: 1. approach the situation with a strategic mindset. 2. assess the nature of the challenges and the impact they have on your team & objectives. 3. communicate openly with your team to gather perspectives. 4. foster a culture of collaboration and problem-solving, where team members feel empowered to contribute solutions. 5. be adaptable and willing to pivot strategies if necessary. 6. utilize your network and resources to seek advice or support 7. address root issues instead of going for surface-level patches. 8. focus on personal & team growth, leverage challenges as opportunities to learn and strengthen your leadership skills.

As a leader facing challenges, seek input from your team to develop creative solutions and be willing to adapt your approach when necessary. For example, if you're providing a service and facing delays, brainstorm with your team to find ways to expedite delivery without compromising quality. If a crucial service provider is unavailable, quickly reassess your options and find alternative solutions. Being collaborative and adaptable can help you overcome obstacles and ensure the continuity of your service.

As a leader, embracing obstacles and difficulties involves the following: 1. Communicate Transparently: Share the experiences and challenges with their team, fostering trust & collaboration. 2. Seek support & advice: Reach out to team, peers, mentors or trusted advisors for guidance and perspective on navigating the obstacles. 3.Cultivating growth mindset: Encouraging resilience and adaptability among team members, viewing challenges as opportunities for learning and improvement. 4. Change Management: Preparing a comprehensive change management plan will help to navigate the challenge.

When facing challenges and obstacles as a leader, it's important to ensure you're understanding the situation objectively. One effective approach is to discuss the situation with your mentor or trusted colleagues. These individuals can provide a fresh perspective, offer advice based on their experiences, and help you see aspects of the issue that you might have overlooked. Seeking such external insights can assist in evaluating the challenges more clearly and guide you in making informed decisions to navigate through the obstacles effectively.

When changes are approaching, one exercise I usually do with my team is to create a support network, which serves the purpose of providing feedback in order to move forward positively in the sea of changes without compromising their speed

Bei Feedback ist besonders wichtig, es konkret und zeitnah zu machen. Hilfreich ist dabei auch die VW-Formel (V=Vorwurf und W=Wunsch). Statt "Nie meldest Du Dich rechtzeitig zurück" wäre "ich wünsche mir eine schnellere Reaktion" die bessere Wahl. Gewaltfreie Kommunikationstechniken bieten noch weitere Tipps, wie z.B. Ich-Botschaften statt Bewertungen des Gegenübers und seines Verhaltens

Accepting that you may not have all the answers is a skill. Seeking out and accepting feedback is a great way to help navigate change. We need more leaders that are willing to reach out and say: I don't know. Let me find out. Ask questions of your team. They probably know more than you think they do. Self-awareness of your own strengths and weaknesses goes a long way here.

Leaders must understand that diverse perspectives, approaches, and solutions enrich the journey. Feedback loops from every and any direction create a sense of thriving in an ever-evolving environment. To truly succeed, every voice must be given the chance to be heard.

Always a top priority - prioritization is a skill. As a leader you have to understand the overall strategy and direction of the company in order to guide your team(s) through change and competing priorities. You are your team's best advocate to leadership when it comes to what projects are the most critical, and what can sit on the back burner for a time. Make sure you have systems in place to assist in project tracking when it gets too complex.

Utilizar el método pomodoro para evitar procrastinar y ser más productivos mientras se trabaja por prioridades es muy efectivo. La técnica consiste en asignar 25 minutos a cada task de forma enfocada , alejados de interrupciones , correos electrónicos , llamadas y otros . Se avanza en ganchos de a 25 minutos por tarea y se estableces plazos de descanso entre sesiones. Es una de las mejores. /

Proper prioritization is one of the characteristics of a good leader. Along with this comes knowing how to delegate tasks to those you lead wisely. This implies having a deep understanding of your team’s capabilities

As a psychologist and executive coach, I agree that resilience is an essential leadership trait. I find that leaders can build resilience and manage uncertainty and challenges by reviewing their values and taking action based on those values. Asking the questions of who and what is important in the situation can help leaders identify what solutions might look like in action.

In the face of change, what I expect from my team is resilience. How is this expectation expressed? Although it involves how we confront change and act accordingly, reflecting the evolution that the change has allowed us to make, and avoiding being paralyzed so that the change does not affect us. Resilience is, in itself, the most effective tool for personal growth when dealing with change

Small Wins! Create Resilience in yourself & in your teams by breaking down the project, challenge, or problem into smaller units that you & the team can tackle & overcome. Getting a few small wins on the scoreboard can help the team & yourself see progress & help build a resilient mindset. The logic in getting those small wins is in the momentum you are creating. With that comes the mindset of we got that one done; we can do another. Keep the steppingstone goals close enough together that you & the team can cross the river. And remember - Celebrate the wins, even small wins deserve to be recognized & that self-efficacy of 'Oh, I can do it' builds resilience.

I love the phrase: Progress, not perfection. Most projects can be iterative. Get something out there, and then make additional changes over time. That said, the focus should be on quality over speed, especially for customer facing products. Setbacks are a part of life. How you recover is a choice.

In my experience, resilience is not just about personal fortitude but also about fostering it within your team. As a leader, your approach to challenges can set the tone for your team's response. By emphasizing problem-solving and adaptability, you create a resilient organizational culture. Share not only your own stories of overcoming adversity but also highlight examples from within the team where resilience led to success.

I'm a huge fan of continued learning throughout life. Make sure you're building skills in areas that you really enjoy to get the most out them. I'm not a fan of skills building in areas that you don't enjoy, or that over time you know is something you're not good at. Build skills in the areas that bring you energy, success, and joy.

Contrary to what people say, leadership is not something that only those who are born with it have. Your personality can help you in leadership, but most of it depends on techniques and knowledge that can be acquired with study and training. A good leader never stops learning and improving their way of leading. Maturity and experience, however, is what brings the confidence to deal with new and unforeseen situations. This skill takes time and perseverance.

Leaders can continuously enhance their skills by prioritising self-reflection and learning. Seek out feedback from peers, mentors, and team members to identify areas for improvement. Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth, pushing yourself outside your comfort zone. Invest time in personal development through workshops, courses, and reading. Cultivate a growth mindset, viewing setbacks as learning experiences that strengthen your abilities. By committing to ongoing growth and development, leaders can better tackle challenges and inspire those around them to do the same.

Definitivamente el desarrollo de tus skills como líder es prioridad . Habilidades blandas hoy día son grandemente apreciadas y necesarias para tener una experiencia óptima como líder y ganar el respeto , apoyo y reconocimiento del equipo .

As a leader, when faced with challenges, focus on skill enhancement. Invest time in learning new strategies, listening to feedback, and developing problem-solving abilities. Collaborate with mentors and peers, honing skills like communication, adaptability, and decision-making. Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth, continually refining leadership abilities to navigate obstacles effectively.

Demonstrate resilience, determination, and a positive attitude in the face of challenges. Your team will look to you for guidance and inspiration, so lead by example and show them how to navigate adversity with grace and confidence.

Building genuine and purpose focus cohesion within the organization and within the different teams is decisive but also very complex. In many organizations we can see that it prevails the internal competition and while this, to a certain degree, could be beneficial, the reality is that without a proper guidance, the right leadership style and an experienced management on balancing it, that could lead to misconception and to create a toxic work environment. I have recently read some articles about the Navy Seals teams and other operating units, you don't need to become friends but fostering trust, respect and fairness to create a rewarding culture to attract and retain talent and to drive and deliver superior performance.

An often overlooked yet critical aspect is psychological safety, wherein all team members feel empowered to express themselves honestly, contribute meaningfully, and receive support even in the event of being mistaken.

n the face of challenges, leaders must ignite unity within their team. Transparent communication and collaborative decision-making bind everyone together. Lead with empathy and resilience, setting a powerful example for solidarity. Celebrate victories, no matter how small, to bolster a shared sense of purpose. By fostering a culture of unity, teams can conquer any obstacle with unwavering strength.

Leadership in the face of change requires not only resilience but also vision. We must inspire our teams to view obstacles not as roadblocks but as stepping stones towards excellence. Encouraging a solution-oriented mindset cultivates a fertile ground for creativity and collaboration, and celebrating the smallest victories is a must!

In facing leadership challenges, it's crucial to leverage your unique strengths. Identify your key talents—such as strategic thinking or communication—and use them to navigate obstacles effectively. Also, align your team members' tasks with their strengths to enhance overall performance and morale. This approach improves problem-solving and resilience and sets a positive example for your team, building trust and fostering a proactive, strengths-based culture.

I'd be more worried if you were a leader who wasn't facing challenges and obstacles. That might indicate you've plateaued in your influence, knowledge or awareness. Or ended up in a safe role with no stretch. Check if the level of challenge matches your ambitions.

Always take a step back and assess the situation to find out the underlying cause of the obstacles that are being faced. Doing this will help a leader to reflect on what the best possible outcome can be. Once this is done then create a plan on how to overcome the challenge being faced, break it into small steps, consider what support and resources will be required to solve the issue at hand. The worst thing to do is to be reactive and panic, the best thing to do is reflect, assess, plan, come up with a solution and identify what is needed to reach that solution.

I'd say if you aren't facing challenge and obstacles now an again, then growth as a leader isn't happening. Learn to tackle them logically and without knee jerk reaction. Be humble and vulnerable - engage those around you. You don't have to have all the answers all of the time. Be kind to yourself