By Gina Rubel

I’ve been thinking about what it means to lead a company through crises and how each crisis affects corporate leaders in 2022. A few years ago, I believed I had handled just about every type of crisis conceivable. How wrong I was.

In recent years, we have dealt with a global pandemic, a divided political nation, and civil unrest. We all learned how to pivot and maneuver through a pandemic. We have strengthened our resolve. We have invested in our teams and talent. We have committed to real DE&I outcomes. And we have invested endless energy in our companies and in support of our clients.

Today, as I write this, we are past the first week of Russia’s siege on Ukraine, a sovereign nation. I am disgusted and awed by the news coming out of Ukraine, Russia, Poland, the United Nations, NATO, and the U.S.

Many headlines are gut-wrenching, and others are filled with hope. They read like an unyielding yo-yo:

• Would Putin press the nuclear button?
• Miles-long lines, the kindness of strangers, an uncertain future
• Under Ukraine’s cities, civilians spend days in metro stations turned bomb shelters
• Stories Of Ukrainian Heroism Are Emerging And Giving The Country Hope
• Russia hits back at Europe over flight ban
• FIFA to suspend Russia as IOC calls for athletes’ suspension
• US cutting off Russia’s central bank from US dollar transactions

There are simply thousands of headlines that we need to stay abreast of while determining what we need to do to remain adaptable, resilient and emotionally intelligent.

As a corporate leader, I have been spending more time learning new ways to lead in what has become the new normal.

To that end, here are various resources worth sharing.

AlixPartners
Four lessons to confront ongoing uncertainty in 2022

“With the new year underway, one thing appears certain, and that is continued uncertainty. As The Economist has cautioned, “the new normal is already here.” Uncertainty has emerged as the defining characteristic of our age.”

Are we seeing the dawning of the age of ‘impossibly impeccable’ leadership?

“What we’re seeing are three core capabilities coming to the fore: adaptability, resilience and emotional intelligence. These are not instead of the technical skills required to lead a business; they must exist alongside them – head and heart working together; two sides of the same coin called leadership. They are critical to the success of the business and the individual.”

Chief Executive

The Anxious CEO: Four Steps To Reduce Executive Anxiety

“Disruptions are here to stay. However, as with so many overwhelmingly complex situations in life, the challenge of leadership is best addressed by prioritizing what really matters (do three critical things, not 300), building enduring partnerships and alliances, and regular, transparent communication. It will still be tough, but it doesn’t need to cause quite as much anxiety as executives are experiencing today.”

Servant Leadership: 5 Relational Intelligence Skills You Need To Have

“The best servant leaders are relationally intelligent. The relationships they form matter. Employees may accept jobs and roles for the titles or financial incentives, but they remain loyal to organizations because of the relationships they build with their leaders.”

Harvard Business Review
How to Respectfully Discuss Contentious Issues at Work

“The path to productivity in the workplace and harmony in the world is at least in part in our own hands…or minds. Scrutinize your own stories and you’ll moderate the way you see others. Moderate the way you see others and you’re more likely to find a way to productive dialogue.”

Harvard Business School
How to Become a More Resilient Leader

“Building resilience is vital to becoming a leader who can successfully navigate through challenges and guide others with courage and conviction. In a recent study by Zenger Folkman, it was found that leaders with high levels of resilience are viewed as being more effective by their managers, peers, and direct reports. Research shows that firms imbued with resilience don’t just survive, but they thrive in the face of change and uncertainty.”

HR Dive

5 Ways to Support Employees Affected by Global Crises

HR Dive spoke with Tiamo Katsonga-Phiri, director of the University of Denver’s Trauma Disaster Recovery Clinic, and Thomas Barrett, clinical professor emeritus at the University of Denver’s Graduate School of Professional Psychology. They shared 5 key tips which I encourage everyone to read in detail including:

1. Understand where different responses may be coming from
2. Be aware of how trauma responses manifest
3. Connect employees to workplace-sponsored resources
4. Give employees a break from the news
5. Organize an action in response to the conflict

Joychiever

My friend, Tracy LaLonde, has fantastic resources available at Joychiever.com. I have her latest book, The Joycheiver Journey, and get her emails (and read them) regularly. She also offers many courses like “Banish Burnout,” that I plan to add to my to-do list. I particularly like today’s message, “Are You Burning Out?” She says:

“Burnout manifests itself in many individual ways, but if you want a quick way to check your burnout “pulse,” consider this list.

• I am unable to complete tasks on time.
• I lose track of tasks and time.
• I am moody and irritable with those around me.
• I feel tired, even when I get good sleep.
• I am unsatisfied with previously enjoyed tasks or activities.
• I am experiencing minor unexplained physical ailments.
• I use busyness as an excuse for canceling the fun aspects of my life.
• I am withdrawing from my team and don’t participate much in meetings.
• I am having sleep problems.
• I chronically work during personal hours.

Examine how often any of these items occur for you each month, as well as look at how many of them are occurring regularly for you. While there is no exact science, you may want to do further self-exploration if your frequency rate is high for a number of these items. (Or if your score is above 20.)” And if you do want to do more work, be sure to get her book, subscribe to the Joy Journal, and follow Joychiever on LinkedIn.

The Gary Vee Audio Experience (Podcast)
I like everything about Gary Vee. He says it like it is and throws lots of punches. Here’s a great episode:

Why You Need to Surround Yourself With People Who Lift You Up

He says, “Today’s episode is all about finding the positivity in your life. I urge you to search for people in your inner circle that strengthen your insecurities, boost your confidence, hold you accountable and make you happy. That’s why I believe I’m able to be happy why and my close friends are able to be happy.”

If you’re reading this, you too are feeling the strain of today’s headlines. All corporate leaders are affected by what is happening in the world and we need to band together to remain adaptable, resilient, and emotionally intelligent. I welcome you to share your resources with me.