Handling Difficult Situations – The Importance Of Preparation

As a leader, you are going to face many challenges.

Periodically these challenges will fall into the category of what might best be described as difficult. For example, you might be leading a division, department or even organisation that is not performing. Some form of turnaround is required to get better results.

When faced with difficult situations, it is really tempting to jump into action and start doing things. The trouble is that if you leap straight into action, the chances are that, rather than making the situation better you might actually make the situation worse.

On the other hand, stepping back and spending some time on the preparation can really make a huge difference.

When we do our preparation really thoroughly, we do a number of things:

Get to the heart of the problem

How often have you seen a problem tackled with a quick fix solution that just creates even more problems? Being clear about the challenge is key to resolving it.

Get clear on what you want to achieve

It’s great to know where you are right now and you have to be clear about your start point. However, it is vital that you get clear about what you want to achieve too. Using our example of the turnaround in performance, what do you want once the turnaround is completed?

Really consider the options

Anyone can grab what is commonly known as the low hanging fruit. However, you don’t want to fall into the trap of believing that the low hanging fruit is the only choice or option. Making the time during your preparation to explore all of the options is key to getting the best possible options.

Acceptance that short term fixes rarely last long term

You have to do something, especially in times of crisis, but that in itself is not the long term answer. For example, if you are facing a financial crisis, short term you need to do things that get you through the initial problem. The solution for the longer term is however different.

The Bottom Line

While you want to get results as a leader, never underestimate the importance of preparation to delivering and achieving long term success.

Duncan Brodie helps accountants and business professionals become highly effective leaders and managers and achieve more career success. He invites you to sign up for his free courses here

About the Author Duncan Brodie

Since 2006 I’ve worked with in excess of 8,000 accountants and professionals in workshops, seminars and one to one helping them land their next jobs and become better leaders, presenters and business partners. Before that I spent 25 years in accountancy climbing the career ladder from Payments Clerk to FD. I’m a CIMA Fellow, Certified Professional Coach and Team Coach Facilitator.

Leave a Comment:

10 comments
effettua un acquisto di tamoxifen in Italia says 17 November 2023

This site was… how do I say it? Relevant!! Finally I have found something
which helped me. Thank you!

Reply
farmacia online per lagevrio 200 mg says 17 November 2023

This post is truly a fastidious one it assists new the web people,
who are wishing in favor of blogging.

Reply
raporsin met of zonder recept says 19 November 2023

Very good site you have here but I was wondering if you knew
of any discussion boards that cover the same topics talked
about here? I’d really like to be a part of online community
where I can get opinions from other experienced individuals that share the same interest.
If you have any recommendations, please let me know.
Bless you!

Reply
Ontdek de prijzen van lefluar in Brussel says 19 November 2023

I do not know whether it’s just me or if perhaps everyone else encountering issues with
your blog. It looks like some of the text within your posts are running off the screen. Can someone else please provide feedback and let me know if this is happening to them as well?
This may be a problem with my internet browser because I’ve had this happen previously.
Kudos

Reply
combivent jest dostępny w aptekach w Polsce says 20 November 2023

naturally like your web-site but you need to test
the spelling on several of your posts. A number of them are rife with spelling issues and I in finding it very bothersome to inform the reality then again I
will definitely come back again.

Reply
aankoop van anafranil online in Spanje says 29 November 2023

Great post. I was checking constantly this blog and I’m impressed!

Very useful info particularly the last part 🙂
I care for such info a lot. I was looking for this particular info
for a very long time. Thank you and good luck.

Reply
cena tandemact w Warszawie says 2 December 2023

Thanks , I have just been looking for information approximately this topic for ages and
yours is the greatest I have came upon till now. But, what in regards
to the conclusion? Are you positive concerning the source?

Reply
puoi ottenere ivermectin senza prescrizione medica a Bologna? says 6 December 2023

hey there and thank you for your info – I’ve definitely picked up anything new from
right here. I did however expertise some technical
issues using this web site, as I experienced to reload the web site lots of
times previous to I could get it to load correctly.
I had been wondering if your hosting is OK? Not that I am complaining, but sluggish loading instances times
will sometimes affect your placement in google and can damage your quality score if
ads and marketing with Adwords. Well I’m adding this RSS to my e-mail and can look out for a lot
more of your respective fascinating content. Ensure that you update this again very soon.

Reply
lopressor pedido en Buenos Aires says 6 December 2023

Hola! I’ve been following your site for a long time now and finally got the courage to go ahead and give you a shout out from
Kingwood Texas! Just wanted to tell you keep up the
excellent job!

Reply
Add Your Reply