Tag: Adversity

Adversity

Few people like adversity. Actually, no one enjoys it. However, adversity challenges us to reflect on who we are, why we are here, and how we will endure.

Walt Disney once said, “All the adversity I’ve had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles, have strengthened me… You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you.”

Reflection can lead to doubt and negativity, but it can also remind us of how God is working to strengthen and shape us.

Leaders who understand this are better equipped to help others when they face adversity.

Handling Adversity

Leadership will always suffer times when adversity creates discouragement. How do leaders survive these times and grow stronger? Consider:

To be forewarned is to be forearmed. Knowing adversity will come helps in preparing beforehand.

Focus on an area of expertise. Discouragement is usually the result of feeling overwhelmed. Focus on one area at a time.

Learn the value of walking away. Sometimes taking a break from the situation and clearing your mind helps.

Seek counsel with other survivors. We can often better handle adversity in life through the encouragement of others.

Remember to seek the good in all situations.
Never forget the lessons learned that benefit you as a leader.

Finding Answers

When I observe my children and grandchildren, I understand the idea of looking for and awaiting answers related to trials experienced in life.

Fear, anxiety, and frustration can take control quickly. How can we eliminate these concerns and find the needed answers during such times?

Where do leaders go to find answers when adversity occurs, questions arise?

Leadership involves providing guidance, direction, encouragement, support, and knowing how to give answers to help others overcome their fears, anxiety and frustration. Where can a leader go to find the answers?

Pray.
Listen to God’s word.
Seek counsel.
Learn the value of trust.
Admit mistakes.
Never miss the opportunity to grow.

Enduring Leadership

Have you ever found yourself wanting to give up when facing adversity, challenge, or controversy?

Harriet Beecher Stowe once said, “When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you could not hang on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.”

Consider two important ideas: 1) Perseverance is vital if we are to experience the turning tide, and 2) The reward has greater sweetness when we endure.

The commonality for both is the need to hang on a minute longer and never let go.

Refuse to Give Up

Numerous people speak about persistence, perseverance, and the stick-to-itive mindset connected to success.

The ability to never quit, even in the face of challenge, difficulty, or hardship is rare and needed in the home, world, and church.

My oldest son says, “It’s amazing what happens when you REFUSE to give up. Failure eventually gives up on you.”

Of all people, leaders must possess that quality of grit that eliminates the possibility of failure.

Developing a fighting spirit in face of adversity will strengthen our leadership and encourage others to address their own challenges with the same vim and vigor.

Leading Through Adversity…

No one enjoys adversity, but how we view adversity and lead through it makes a difference. Health, family, financial, and hundreds of other challenges cause us to reflect on who we are, why we are here, and how we will endure.

Walt Disney said, “All the adversity I’ve had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles, have strengthened me… You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you.”

There are times when adversity is beneficial. Leaders who understand this are better equipped to help others when they face adversity.

A Strong Leader…

Leaders will always encounter times of discouragement, but how do we survive and grow stronger?

Here a few suggestions to consider.

To be forewarned is to be forearmed.
Focus on one area at a time.
Learn the value of knowing when to walk away.
Seek counsel with other survivors.
Remember to seek the good in all situations
.

Leaders cannot avoid, ignore, or ever neglect adversity. Instead, learn how to survive the fallout when adversity exists and become a stronger leader.