Overcoming Setbacks and Adversity

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Overcoming Setbacks and Adversity
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What do we mean by setbacks and adversity?

• A setback is a single event or specific series of
  events that impedes your forward progress as an
  organization.
• Adversity, rather than a distinct occurrence, is
  more likely to be an ongoing unfavorable
  condition.
• Setbacks and adversity each make different
  demands on a leader.

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Why is it important to focus on overcoming
setbacks and adversity?

• To keep the organization moving forward.
• To avoid discouragement and despair.
• To keep staff/volunteer morale high.
• To maintain standing in the community.
• To add to your and the organizations store of
  knowledge.
• To enhance your development as a person and as a
  leader.
• To maintain the organizations faith in its
  leadership.
• To keep the focus on your mission, and continue
  to serve or work for those at whom the effort is
  aimed.

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When should you work to overcome setbacks and
adversity?

• In the case of a setback, action should usually
  be immediate, and geared specifically to
  reversing the situation, whatever it is.
• In adversity, you have to move forward steadily,
  both to get the organization through difficulties
  and in order to overcome them.

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How do you, as a leader, overcome setbacks and
adversity?

• Stay calm.
• Communicate.
• Take action.
• Emphasize moving the organization forward
• Accentuate the positive.
• As leader, share the hardships of the situation
  with the rest of the organization.
• Use the situation to build solidarity within the
  organization.

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Continued

• Dont be too serious.
• Determine what went wrong, and use your analysis
  to fix the problem, if its within your control,
  or to get around or cope with it, if its not..
• Develop a strategic plan for coping with the
  situation.
• Involve everyone in the organization in planning
  your coping strategy.
• Ask for help from outside the organization if you
  need it...and sometimes even if you dont.
• Point out the learning that came out of the
  situation.
• Keep the big picture always before you.
• Dont let up.