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Save the date

"There is no 'save the date' card that a crisis is coming.  Be prepared."  Dave Beroth
As leaders, we often work, work, work and get caught in day to day activities.  We're rolling along and then wham! crisis.  Crisis looks different for each of us.  Crisis can be personal (birth of a child, death of a family member, change in health, major move, divorce...).  Crisis can be in our leadership (standard operating procedures change, the market takes a dive, followers stop following, our title changes...).
All of these things affect our outlook.  Situations become magnified.  We start to be reactive instead of proactive.  We can lose our way.
Crisis is inevitable.  It's not a matter of "if", but "when".  As leaders, we need to be extra prepared.  How we handle adverse situations will set a tone and an example to those who look to us for guidance.  If we fall apart, get angry, are constantly on edge, have a bad attitude or quit, those around us will do the same.  If we rise to the challenge and show strength in adverse times, those around will also do the same.
The key is to be prepared.  You need to have a firm foundation in your leadership.  Know your strengths.  Know your beliefs.  Know yourself.  Know when to get help.
You may not be able to "save the date" and schedule your crisis, but you can be prepared.

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