3 Tips to Becoming a Recession-proof Leader. #1: Pick Your Battles

What makes a resilient leader? How can we retain optimism and focus amidst uncertainty in 2023?

Circumstances may throw you a curve ball but you are still in the driving seat.

This month I've been speaking to my executive coaching clients about their most pressing challenges. As we discussed suitable approaches and solutions, three key themes emerged. I am excited to share these with you over the next few weeks.

Tip #1. Pick your battles.

Especially in a highly politicised environment!

As you take on a leadership role, you are bound to come across highly strung individuals with very particular or inflexible ways of interacting.

Perhaps they're really hard to pin down, get unnecessarily confrontational or are never pleased with results and play the blame game. Rings a bell?

Their Molotov personality cocktail might be what made them exceptional in their role, or propelled them to their current position. We'll never know!

In fact, if you are a business owner, CEO or even MD, you might find that the presence of these challenging (or on occasion, toxic) people in the boardroom or among the investors is almost to be expected. Their peculiarities and demands intensify when financial pressures abound. 

Working with such individuals is never easy but it's not your job to change them. It is up to you however, to decide how much emotional energy and mental space they take up in your life. 

Think about the most challenging co-worker who has some degree of influence/decision-making power over you. How many hours a week do you dedicate to that person, be it in email or verbal exchange, worry and frustration?

Now, how many hours do you decide to dedicate to that person?

You can still get the job done and engage with them when necessary but cut these interactions to an absolute minimum.

Be sure not to take anything personally and do not engage in aggressive escalations, even if provoked. 

Focus on a strictly fact-based discussion with a written trail.

This seemingly never-ending battle is simply not worth your investment. These individuals are often deeply embedded within their own narrative. It is not your obligation to assume their worldview as yours, or to convince them you are right.

What's the learning here?

However challenging, working with such individuals provides you with an opportunity to really get to know yourself as a leader.

This is a unique opportunity to understand what behaviours trigger you and take full ownership of your emotional and mental state.

Remaining neutral, polite and factually correct helps you stay professional and move the whole ship forward.

Ultimately you all want to succeed, no matter how different your worldview, management style or personality.

It's not about taking sides or exacerbating any pre-existing tensions; it's about freeing up your precious time and energy reserves and re-investing them in positive and promising working relationships.

In that same meeting room, there are also people aligned with your values, with whom you see eye-to-eye on strategic direction of growth and its implementation. Building authentic relationships leading to meaningful alliances with these individuals will come to you more naturally and effortlessly. It will also foster your support network, leveraging your position and enhancing your resilience.