Generate Hope: The Task of the Leader in a Crisis

Every morning, we wake up to news of crises. Every day, we and our teams in companies face a new crisis. To mention just a few of the major events in the past two months: A city in Spain,  Valencia, is hit by torrential rains and flooded, and terrible images emerge from the DANA phenomenon. If we consider the limited progress of COP 29, which took place in Baku, Azerbaijan, we are confronted with profound and concerning issues such as rising sea levels and extreme weather events. Every corner of the planet is being affected by climate change, and there is no amount of money that can fund the necessary research or drive changes in CO2 emissions. The president-elect of the United States for the 2025-2029 term has introduced ideas that become crisis news for several countries on different topics. Meanwhile, Chinese cars flood the market, and electric vehicle production, acceptance, and affordability remain challenging. Stock markets around the world, including the Japanese NIKKEI, experience massive declines, dragging down European and American markets as well. ... Crisis, crisis, crisis. But how does all this affect your company? How does it impact the work of company leaders? What should company leaders focus on in an environment where such news is reported daily?

Generate Hope

In conversations with several managers, they point out that some executives become stressed, and workers become distracted. Ultimately, the leader's role is clear: we must continue ensuring that our teams deliver their best in terms of productivity, quality, and service. The image of a leader is essential to maintain credibility and motivation among followers, without getting lost in the storm of crises. After all, we are part of a company that rewards us and must remain competitive — even in times of crisis.

The leader's image must encompass at least five key components, which have been evaluated in various studies. These components shape how leaders are perceived by their followers:

1. Honesty: Honesty is regularly regarded as one of the most important leadership traits, as it inspires trust.

2. Competence: Another highly valued attribute is competence. For followers to trust a leader, they must believe in that person’s ability and know that the leader understands what they are doing.

3. Progressiveness: Crisis situations create uncertainty, and being bombarded daily with bad news challenges our belief in the leader’s ability to solve problems. A progressive leader inspires confidence, reassuring followers that the future is still bright despite the challenges. Some may even refer to this leader as a visionary — someone who knows where they are heading.

4. Inspirational: From a follower's perspective, leaders must be enthusiastic, energetic, and positive about the future. They act almost like cheerleaders, motivating and energizing the team. A leader must also be able to communicate a compelling vision that encourages participation and commitment from the team.

5. Credibility: Three of these traits — honesty, competence, and inspiration — are central to what communications experts call credibility. Credibility, along with a clear and attractive vision of the future, is the essence of leadership. However, credibility is fragile: it can be shattered by thoughtless comments, inconsistent actions, unfulfilled promises, lies, or cover-ups.

Thus, crises in the global environment can cause stress among our teams. It is the leader's responsibility to demonstrate the qualities that employees admire, which in turn will foster a mindset of continuous improvement and better results for the company.

However, this task would be incomplete if we, as leaders, do not focus on fostering hope. To do this, we must:

1. Set clear goals: Communicate to the team the specific goals we must reach and review them daily to track progress. Any deviations should be identified and corrected, along with their underlying causes.

2. Celebrate successes: When teams meet their goals, it is important for the leader to recognize and celebrate their efforts. This reinforces positive attitudes and motivates the entire team to continue improving.

3. Address stress and uncertainty: When stress arises within the team, it is crucial to take time to engage in open dialog and provide clear information. Leaders must use facts and data to explain situations and avoid relying on vague statements. This task requires leaders to stay well-informed and share relevant updates.

4. Guide when goals are unmet: When goals are not achieved, especially in a stressful environment, leaders must step in to provide guidance. This involves seeking resources, developing action plans, and finding solutions both inside and outside the company.

5. Ensure consistent communication: Regular communication of results should serve as both a guiding compass and a source of energy. This keeps the team aligned and focused on the broader objectives.

6. Foster growth and development: Consistently applying these leadership practices will help people grow, improve their skills, and build confidence in their tasks.

If you have helped your team reach new levels of performance, it is because you have created "HOPE." By doing so, your team will achieve more, and you will achieve more because you are becoming a leader they admire and trust.

I would like to emphasize that, regardless of your years of experience or age, you can create hope in others when you:

• Cultivate intrinsic motivation by doing things with passion and a genuine interest in personal growth and development. People follow leaders who inspire with their authentic commitment.

• Persevere and demonstrate the determination to lead your team by securing the resources needed to succeed.

• Learn and teach continuously, as this reinforces your knowledge and ability to support your team. Your behavior reflects your commitment, and your people perceive that you are creating your own luck — and they will follow you.

Thank you for creating hope in others, helping them become a better version of themselves.

Remember: "No one cares where you go … until you ask them to come with you."

And don’t forget: "People appreciate working for someone who appreciates them."