Ch. 6: Courageous Leadership
The topic of our blog today is remaining a courageous leader in the face of stress and fear.
This seems like an opportune
time to discuss this. After all, our world is in the midst of a pandemic crisis
and we are seeing different styles of leadership and various responses to this situation.
So, why is it that leaders who are often under stress tend to revert to an authoritarian style of leadership?
First, I want to briefly approach this topic from my area of expertise, mental health, and try and tie it into the main topic. Stress often invokes fears and anxieties in many individuals. Anxiety is an unpleasant emotional response often perceived in response to a threat (Clark, 1999). In some individuals this increase in anxiety can actually decrease executive functioning, which is the area of our brain that controls working memory, mental flexibility, and self-control. It is also known to interrupt daily functions, such as social skills and attention, which can lead to behavioral and cognitive biases (Bishop, 2007). The good news is that many individuals with anxiety can, with help, become mentally strong (Remes, 2020). Learning to cope through difficult situations can increase ones ability to maintain focus and a calm presence in the face of stress and adversity.
I can fill a book on the many ways to build the mental muscle of coping. Many already have. Anyone can increase their ability to handle stress if they choose to work on it. But, admitting one has this struggle can often be the problem itself. Pride is the root to this issue. It takes courage to admit one might have something they need to work on, and pride is a common trait with many leaders. I would go so far as to say all authoritarian leaders probably have too much pride. True leadership, however, is described as the constant fight for what you stand for, ways to improve ones self, and the challenge to put yourself to the test when the pressure gets to be too much (Llopis, 2015). The text defines courage as the mental and moral strength to engage in, persevere through, and withstand danger, difficulty, or fear (Daft, 2018). It doesn't mean the absence of fear or doubt, but it is the ability to persevere through it in order to do what is right and good.
So, how might we as leaders find the courage to resist the tendency to revert to a command-and-control leader when things get tough?
Well, we need to recognize that we do this first and foremost. Knowledge is the key here. And we need to overcome our pride to work on it. Courage means accepting responsibility for our actions (Daft, 2018). Projection and defensiveness are tendencies of an authoritarian leader and it is the opposite of accepting responsibility. Being assertive, taking risks, and pushing past ones comfort zone are all necessary traits of a courageous leader (Daft, 2018). A courageous leader will stand up for what's right, even if they are standing alone. This also requires the ability to accept criticism when someone tells us we might be out of line. Going back to increasing our ability to cope will help us remain calm in a situation, rather than become hot-headed. Because that is where we make impulsive, poor, and demanding decisions that have far reaching repercussions. So in short, never stop working on yourself.
Go here for >>> Citations
First, I want to briefly approach this topic from my area of expertise, mental health, and try and tie it into the main topic. Stress often invokes fears and anxieties in many individuals. Anxiety is an unpleasant emotional response often perceived in response to a threat (Clark, 1999). In some individuals this increase in anxiety can actually decrease executive functioning, which is the area of our brain that controls working memory, mental flexibility, and self-control. It is also known to interrupt daily functions, such as social skills and attention, which can lead to behavioral and cognitive biases (Bishop, 2007). The good news is that many individuals with anxiety can, with help, become mentally strong (Remes, 2020). Learning to cope through difficult situations can increase ones ability to maintain focus and a calm presence in the face of stress and adversity.
I can fill a book on the many ways to build the mental muscle of coping. Many already have. Anyone can increase their ability to handle stress if they choose to work on it. But, admitting one has this struggle can often be the problem itself. Pride is the root to this issue. It takes courage to admit one might have something they need to work on, and pride is a common trait with many leaders. I would go so far as to say all authoritarian leaders probably have too much pride. True leadership, however, is described as the constant fight for what you stand for, ways to improve ones self, and the challenge to put yourself to the test when the pressure gets to be too much (Llopis, 2015). The text defines courage as the mental and moral strength to engage in, persevere through, and withstand danger, difficulty, or fear (Daft, 2018). It doesn't mean the absence of fear or doubt, but it is the ability to persevere through it in order to do what is right and good.
So, how might we as leaders find the courage to resist the tendency to revert to a command-and-control leader when things get tough?
Well, we need to recognize that we do this first and foremost. Knowledge is the key here. And we need to overcome our pride to work on it. Courage means accepting responsibility for our actions (Daft, 2018). Projection and defensiveness are tendencies of an authoritarian leader and it is the opposite of accepting responsibility. Being assertive, taking risks, and pushing past ones comfort zone are all necessary traits of a courageous leader (Daft, 2018). A courageous leader will stand up for what's right, even if they are standing alone. This also requires the ability to accept criticism when someone tells us we might be out of line. Going back to increasing our ability to cope will help us remain calm in a situation, rather than become hot-headed. Because that is where we make impulsive, poor, and demanding decisions that have far reaching repercussions. So in short, never stop working on yourself.
Go here for >>> Citations
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