6 Strategies for Leading Effectively During a Crisis

“Steady as she goes” is an instruction from the captain to the helmsman of a ship to keep the ship heading steadily on the same course regardless of gusts of wind or crosscurrents. Perhaps surprisingly, this phrase is still used in the modern shipping era. I suspect it will be around well into the future. Some of you who are Star Trek enthusiasts (which I am not) might remember Captain Kirk of the Starship Enterprise using this term frequently as they navigated their way through an asteroid belt or escaped the gravitational pull of a black hole in interstellar deep space.

The term “steady as she goes” seems fitting for those of us charged with helping to lead a business, nonprofit, or ministry. We all face uncertainties as we navigate leadership in the “uncharted waters” of our world today. None of us alone, or as a collective, know with absolute certainty how this is all going to turn out. BUT for many of us, we know the mission has not changed. The way we accomplish our mission may look very different in the future than it has in the past. In order to keep a steady hand on the rudder, I suggest you do the following:

1. Don’t lose focus.

It is easy to be distracted and pulled off course. In a crisis, there can be many voices (too many) trying to tell you what you should be doing. Remember your mission.

2. Don’t be afraid to lead.

Communicate and provide direction. Your voice should have a ring of clarity, calmness, and confidence. If you have been put in a role of leadership, you are there for times such as these.

3. Trust your crew.

Hopefully, you have people that are capable and skilled. Give expanded responsibility and authority to act to those in whom you have great trust. You will never be able to do it alone, nor should you try.

4. Seek wise counsel.

Proverbs 15 reminds us that wise people seek wise counsel. A sense of invulnerability or self-sufficiency is just another manifestation of one’s arrogance and enlarged ego. Pride comes before a fall.

5. Don’t overreact.

Panic-driven overreaction compounds instability. The role of the leader in stormy seas is to keep perspective and make pragmatic decisions to keep the ship afloat and balance its load.

6. Stay positive and stay confident.

The crew takes their cues from you as a leader. Ultimately, our confidence must come from the Lord. I am often reminded of this quote from the movie Rudy, “There is a God, and [we are] not Him.” God is not wringing his hands with worry about how this is all going to turn out, neither should we.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” James 1:1-8 ESV

Contact us to learn how our experienced consultants can assist you as you navigate leading through a crisis.

Dave Marks is a Senior Consultant at The Center Consulting Group and has over 35 years of church ministry experience including 23 years as a senior pastor. His consulting experience includes ministry assessment, leadership coaching, and strategic planning. Dave’s degrees include a B.S. in Bible, an M.S. in Organizational Leadership and a D.Min. in Leadership.