Leading Through Storms: Resilience and Adaptability
Being a business leader in today’s climate often entails navigating through storms of adversity, crises, and industry disruptions. How we steer through these turbulent times is a real test of our leadership chops. This article explores the journeys of three remarkable leaders—Mary Barra, John Legere, and Kenneth Frazier—whose stories offer teachable moments of resilience and adaptability.
Mary Barra: Steering Through Crises
In 2014, Mary Barra became the first female head of an automobile manufacturer as the CEO of General Motors. She faced a particularly challenging period in the company’s history, marred by prolific recalls, restructuring, and rapidly changing automotive technology. Barra took a novel approach to transparency and accountability.
Millions of vehicles were recalled in 2014, the same year that Barra ascended to the CEO position, due to faulty ignition switches. That was a massive and scandalous undertaking. And Barra met it by openly acknowledging the failures. Under her guidance, the company apologized to impacted consumers and committed to resolving the issues. Barra helped re-establish trust and set the gold standard for corporate accountability through transparency.
Barra also helped the company adapt to emerging trends and technologies. Instead of relying on the status quo, she embraced innovation. GM invested in electric and autonomous vehicles as Barra positioned them as a forward-thinking industry leader.
We can learn so much from Barra’s ability to sail through storms – turning crises into opportunities for growth and using transformative leadership to surge forward from the past through the present, preparing for the future.
John Legere: Disrupting an Industry
John Legere was the CEO of T-Mobile from 2012-2020. He is widely recognized for employing a disruptive approach, transforming the telecom industry. When he accepted the CEO position, T-Mobile struggled to compete with large players. Legere’s strategy used customer-centricity and innovation to get back in the game.
He introduced the “Un-carrier” initiative, a revolution that eliminated traditional contracts, offered unlimited data plans, and included additional customer-friendly policies. It was a bold move that disrupted the industry and forced competitors to follow suit. A focus on customer satisfaction and direct communication were hallmarks of his unconventional leadership style. All this combined to gain T-Mobile a significant market share.
From Legere, we learn that challenging the status quo and taking bold risks have big payoffs. His leadership demonstrates the importance of pivoting to address changes in the marketplace and the value of being the first company to offer something new that addresses customer pain points.
Kenneth Frazier: Leading Through Innovation
At one point in his career at Merck & Co., Kenneth Frazier was one of only four Black CEOs of Fortune 500 companies. He was at the helm during the initial COVID-19 outbreak and the murder of George Floyd, both of which impacted him and the company he was running.
Under his leadership, Merck developed groundbreaking treatments, including the cancer drug Keytruda. His focus on innovation extended beyond pharmaceuticals to corporate responsibility, where he championed diversity and inclusion.
One of the things that I find most notable about him is this: In 2017, Kenneth Frazier resigned from the American Manufacturing Council in protest of Donald Trump’s response to white supremacist violence in Charlottesville, Virginia. He was the first CEO to do so.
To me, that kind of risk-taking authenticity is commendable. Frazier teaches us that while what we say matters, our actions speak volumes.
Sailing Your Ship
As you consider the stories of Barra, Legere, and Frazier, reflect on your own experiences:
- How have you navigated unexpected challenges or industry disruptions?
- What practical ways can you cultivate resilience and adaptability in your leadership approach?
Here are a few tips to consider.
- Embrace Transparency: When you can be open about challenges and communicate honestly with your team, you build trust and foster a culture of accountability.
- Focus on Innovation: Embrace change and adapt your strategies to stay ahead of the curve. Encourage your team’s creativity and exploration.
- Lead with Empathy: Empathetic leaders inspire loyalty and motivate individuals to give their best. Take the time to understand your team’s needs and concerns.
- Take Calculated Risks: Resilience often means making the tough calls – and standing by them, so don’t be afraid to challenge the status quo. And take bold steps.
How will you steer your ship through the next storm? Almost anyone will find it easy to navigate calm waters. But effective leadership shows amidst storms where your resilience turns challenges into opportunities, and your adaptability paves the way for enduring success.
Lisa L. Baker is a professional life coach, career strategist, and keynote speaker. Lisa is the founder of Ascentim – a Maryland-based coaching practice that utilizes a unique G.R.O.W. process to help clients gain clarity, realize new possibilities, overcome obstacles, and win at life. Lisa shows high-performing professionals how to Level Up and Live the Life of Their Dreams.