The Chinese figure for crisis combines figures that depict both danger and opportunity. We are living and leading in a period of history where people are referring to the word crisis repeatedly on a daily basis. The Covid-19 crisis and pandemic has become the most prominent topic in most news reports, and in the majority of our conversations. As leaders, it is appropriate for us to be sensitive to the many dangers that are associated with this crisis, but equally important is our need to be aware of the innumerable opportunities this crisis has created for us. One of the most crucial, but often overlooked qualities a leader must possess is the ability to lead with a sense of urgency. Whether a leader is leading in a time of crisis, or during times of non-crisis, leading with a sense of urgency is an absolute necessity for both a leader and a leader’s followers.
Throughout the years I have been engaged in the work of leadership development, many business owners have complained to me about the lack of urgency that exists within their companies and organizations. In many of those conversations, I have made the assessment that organizations often lack urgency and intensity because their leaders often lack urgency and intensity. Urgency is not to be associated with a leader providing hasty, impulsive or chaotic leadership, where a leader is simply attempting to get as much accomplished in the shortest period of time. Leadership urgency is the opposite of leadership complacency. Those who lead with urgency are driven with a passion for their mission that causes them to be single-minded and laser focused on achieving their goals and objectives. Those who lead with urgency refuse to live in a state of self-deception about their own performance and the state of their organization. What separates leaders from managers is the fact that leaders are visionaries who refuse to settle for the status quo, or what they have achieved in their past.
What kind of leaders are needed in this current time of crisis? We need leaders who will lead with a sense of urgency. Leaders who understand that activity is not to be necessarily equated with accomplishment. Effective leaders are productive leaders who inspire their teams to raise their level of passion and productivity. Incompetent leaders reveal their incompetency, especially in a crisis, by frantically and anxiously threatening their people, while failing to deliver the vital hope their people so desperately need. In the world of athletics, the most difficult championships to win are the ones that follow a championship season. Why is this so often the case? The answer is simple. After winning a championship, many teams become complacent which leads to a loss of urgency and intensity. Are you leading with a sense of urgency? If not, it is unlikely that your people will be working with the urgency that is necessary during these challenging days this company and our country is facing. Are you leading with a sense of urgency? If not, get back in touch with your calling as a leader. We lead to change lives. This crisis is a pause in each of our lives. Use it to get back in touch with why you and this organization exist. This organization needs leaders who have a sense of urgency. Your people need a leader who has a sense of urgency. Purpose and mission fuel passion and commitment. We must seize the opportunity this crisis is providing each of us as leaders to live and to lead with purpose!
