Crisis

“Never let a good crisis go to waste” – Nicolo Machiavelli.

A crisis is usually defined as a situation that is dangerous or unstable. In a crisis there is often not a clear path to dealing with it, however, there is no slack that enables one to not deal with it. A crisis can occur because of our actions, but sometimes it may occur despite our actions. Sometimes we have control over it, most times we do not. We need to react, we need to deal with it, and the goal is usually getting the crisis to end.

For some, a crisis can also be an opening to great opportunity. A crisis usually requires quick thinking and quick action, and what may have not been doable before maybe doable now. A crisis may be an opportunity to change one’s approach to their health or career. It should not be an unknown fact that politicians often use crises to further their own agendas, to enact programs or decisions that may not be entirely related to solving the problem, but utilize the fog of war to enact their pet projects. It’s like selling a stock short by turning a setback as an opportunity. And its both political parties, not just one.

What is important to realize when dealing with a crisis is that no matter how scary it is, there will be an end to it. The ending may not be ideal, it may even be catastrophic, but there will be an end to it. I do believe in leadership as a way to deal with crises. Many of our country’s great crises were solved through aggressive, thoughtful leadership. Abraham Lincoln had to deal with a fractured nation. Franklin Roosevelt had to deal with an economic catastrophe. For Lincoln, he was able to use the crisis to put slavery to end once and for all. No compromises, no exceptions. For Roosevelt he used an impending war to mobilize a country, restart a manufacturing base, and give a desperate nation clarity around a shared goal.

The next time you face a crisis, consider if there is a way to further your own goals. It may give you the confidence and hope to get through it.