I’ve learned something this past week.  I guess I always knew it but until this last week I’m not sure I always believed it.  The “it” I’m talking about is the power a true leader can have to guide and inspire especially in times of crisis.  I recognized that leadership quality in one of my clients this week.  It must be the economic crisis of the past few weeks that has drawn that quality out in him.  He’s truly inspirational and we can all crave to have someone just like him at the helm of our organization.

 I won’t mention his name because I don’t want to embarrass him and I hold my client’s names as confidential.  But, during these past two weeks I’ve watched him stand in front of his company, tell everyone the truth about the impact of the economy upon their company, lay off several people and then lay out a plan that instilled confidence and trust in those that remained.  He didn’t blink.  He was 100% grounded in what he knew had to be done to see his company through the crisis.

The key was the time and attention he put into crafting a plan that would make sure the company survived today, tomorrow and into  the future.  And, it was the open and honest way he communicated that plan to his employees.  He won them over.  He instilled confidence not only in his plan but in himself as their leader.   It made me realize all the more that great companies are great because they’re lead by great leaders who have a solid plan. 

Good times or bad…leaders lead and stick to their plan.  Let’s hear a big “YES!” for leaders like this.