Leading in times of uncertainty

It is a tough time for everyone at the moment, the prolonged period of uncertainty about the virus effects everyone no matter your relationship with risk. For a leader it is really tough, people are looking to you for guidance, looking to you for security and overall looking to you to lead them. The challenge with this is you probably don't know yourself what the future holds and whilst you are trying to do the right thing you are really not sure if it is the right thing.

What I want to share with you is a way you can move forward, a way you can lead your business and your people out of the uncertainty.

Many many years ago whilst on a training exercise I was called upon to lead a group of Commandos to the top of Helvellyn in the Lake District. It was a cold, wet November day the mist was down so we couldn't see the peak from our start point down in the valley. We were carrying our packs with all the food and equipment probably about 70 llbs that we would need to not only get to the top of the peak but also to camp out overnight by Red Tarn which sits just below the peak. This was day four of a week long exercise and the guys were already pretty tired having been out in the field the previous two days climbing Skiddaw and one of the lesser well known peaks. Getting to the top was going to be tough.

I had mapped a route to take us to the top and noticed in my planning that we were going to have to transcend a series of false ridges before we got to the top. A false ridge gives you the impression when you look up that the top is in sight when in fact it isn't. This is most demoralising especially when you are tired.

Starting at the right hand side of the profile above you can see there were at least 5 false rides to traverse. We started off in good spirit, aches and pains were walked off and with the normal banter associated with Commando forces we maintained our schedule and reached Green side in relative ease, considering the weights we were all carrying. As we took a break there we looked up and as the mist cleared a little we could see Stybarrow Dodd. One of the section asked me if that was the top, sadly no I replied but that is our next rest point so lets go. We made Stybarrow and by now the mist had lifted completely but we couldn't see the top we could only see Raise, once again some thought it was the top. Once again I said that is our next rest point and so this went on. We eventually met up with our Mountain Leader on the top of Helvellyn as the light faded, we had made it.

The reason I share this story is because we have the same level of uncertainty about where we are going in our business lives today. Our people are carrying heavy loads coming to terms with ever changing circumstances, worry for themselves and their families. The worst thing we can do is just have everyone focussed on the end game and tell them we will reach the peak at some point. We just don't know when that will be, you don't know when that will be and they know you don't know. So let's focus on the next ridge, set yourself stages to achieve, get yourself and your team focussed on short term gains whilst we wait for the mist to clear. Acknowledge when you get there and celebrate that achievement no matter how small. Communicate with all of your team well and walk with them on this journey.

We will come out the other side of the pandemic, for now though we are in it so accept that, get the pack on and walk up to the next false ridge.