Diamond or Dust? What is revealed about your leadership under pressure?

Pressure. We are all feeling it. We have never been through anything like this. All of us are experiencing global economic, political, cultural, and health issues. And while everyone is feeling the pressure, leaders especially have to withstand even greater amounts as they deal with their own internal problems, in addition to those of their organization and their team members. How a leader handles pressure is a true test of their metal. Two things can happen when an object is put under pressure. They become stronger like a diamond or crumble into dust. What happens with you? What is revealed about your leadership under pressure?

Two things can happen when an object is put under pressure. They become stronger like a diamond, or crumble into dust. What happens with you? What is revealed about your leadership under pressure?

Your leadership under pressure

This topic came to mind while in a conversation with some friends last week. I was reminded of good and bad bosses I have had in the past. The “bad bosses” were the ones who crumbled under pressure. When a key client was lost or a project when off the rails, they became unbearable to work with. When faced with these challenges, they turned to blame, anger, and fear-mongering.

They didn’t coach, they cajoled. They didn’t encourage, they threatened. In short, pressure turned them to dust.

But I have had other bosses that were great to work for under pressure. They encouraged us. They listened to ideas. We worked together as a team to craft new strategies and approaches. These bosses weren’t perfect. But, we were able to work together to come out better on the other side. Kind of like that piece of coal that becomes a diamond over time. We came out better on the other side.

Read more to discover Three keys to developing strong leadership under pressure