Leadership amid crisis

This week, the headlines in North Carolina and other southeastern states have been full of reports about Hurricane Helene's devastation in the region. Pictures, personal accounts, and stories in the news media paint a grim picture. The reality, I suspect, is even more grim than we can imagine based on these reports.

Remembering that the most fundamental understanding of leadership is behavioral influence, events have reminded me of some basic leadership principles that can be helpful as we lead others in challenging circumstances.

Leaders must lead despite criticism. Since this is an election year, and we are so near election day, the howls of criticism of those who are public leaders are loud, harsh, and inescapable. Those may be the most apparent criticisms, but anyone responsible for decision-making, particularly for decisions that affect others, will be the target of someone’s harsh judgment.

Leaders can lead most effectively at that moment by not becoming distracted by the emotional need to defend themselves. In such extreme circumstances, it’s critical to remain focused on the urgent need that must be met.

During my experience of planting a church in Arizona, there were several occasions when we hosted large community events with the help of dozens of volunteers. In time, I worked to develop a culture where no assessment was too harsh in retrospect, but we would not air those differences in the heat of the moment unless there was some immediate danger to someone.

Prior to a challenging situation or early in one that was unexpected is the best time to assure others we can assess ways to improve on the other side of the immediate crisis. Criticism will still come from those we don’t know or lead directly, but preparing those we lead can make whatever constructive critique they offer beneficial rather than harmful.

Additionally, it’s helpful to remember that criticism is often an expression of pain and frustration in situations like disaster relief. If leaders take that criticism as a personal attack, we only exacerbate the problem. It’s a mistake I made too many times as a younger man.

If we understand that some criticism is an emotional expression of pain, we can respond with empathy. Rather than being dismissive or defensive, we can preserve and even strengthen a relationship that will enable us to be united and more effective in a future crisis.

Leaders don’t wait for permission to lead. Serving in a ministry role as part of the staff of a statewide network of thousands of local churches, most of my involvement in responding to the destruction in western North Carolina has been in that capacity, working to offer a coordinated response. However, some of my neighbors and friends are not part of that world and have responded in a variety of other ways. One neighbor who owns a truck and a trailer used his personal networks, including our neighborhood Facebook group, to organize donations to take to the affected area. He didn’t wait for someone to say it was OK. He saw the need, knew he had available resources, and he took action.

A couple of years ago, a pastor who was new to the area asked for advice on how to get the church he led to pass a vote to support a particular local ministry idea. My counsel to him was, “I would never ask for permission to do ministry.” I further urged him to recruit volunteers for it personally, utilize money already budgeted for local ministry, and do it. Of course, I added the caveat that he should know the bylaws and not do anything that would violate the “expressed will of the church.”

Another beneficial element of this approach of personally recruiting volunteers is that it will build the church's will to take that action organically. It may also inform us that the church isn’t catching the vision for it. We may need to refine our approach or postpone the effort until sufficient support exists.

Waiting for permission for ministry has stalled many a church’s effectiveness. It’s yet another lesson I have learned the hard way.

What about you? Is there an opportunity for the church, nonprofit, professional practice, or volunteer team you lead to begin some initiative, implement a strategy, or take some significant action? How can you build the will to do that? Have you been waiting for permission? How can you move that idea forward within organizational limits, philosophy, and convictions rather than waiting for permission?

How have you responded to criticism in challenging circumstances? How can you respond more effectively? How can you develop the culture of the church, volunteer team, or professional practice you lead to benefit from critique rather than reacting defensively or dismissively?

Explore these questions with trusted friends. Perhaps you’ll all lead more effectively as a result.

Join me in praying for those who are suffering.

If you want to respond to the devastation in Western NC but are unsure how to do it, NC Baptists offer several ways you can help: https://ncbaptist.org/hurricane-helene-response

The views and opinions expressed in my Thursday Thoughts on Leadership are my own. They do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or policies of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina or any affiliated churches.