Chapter 9 – Inspire Hope

5 Questions to Reflect

When you come upon a crisis or a challenging time, what are your initial reactions, emotions?
How do you ground yourself to face the tough situation?
How have you (or a lead you have worked with) been able to ground a crisis in facts, paint a clear picture and lay out a path?
How have you (or a leader you have worked with) been able to convey hope in the midst of the challenging time?
How does the understanding that importance of inspiring hope in challenging times help you think about thriving in the 5%?

When sharing difficult news about a complex issue, focus on simplicity in your message. When you feel like you have a solid approach to communicate, start with someone without intimate knowledge around the issue to measure your clarity.
Think about communication from a tiered approach beyond “why” something happened. Reflect on what happened, why it happened, what will happen if the situation is not rectified – along with your thoughts on how to solve it.
Consider what information is appropriate to share and what is not. Irresponsible transparency is not the goal. Be discerning about sharing as much as possible or appropriate to provide clarity in difficult times.
To transfer belief to others, you must first believe. Before moving forward with a strategy, spend enough time to make sure you are “all in” with that approach.
Above all, remind people why they do what they do and how valuable they are in achieving the purpose of your organization.