The Tasks of a Leader in Turbulent Times

The following originally appeared in the February 27, 2009, issue of CEO Update, the primary source for news and job listings in associations and nonprofits.

Understanding the tasks of a leader in turbulent times A psychologist and executive coach counsels top managers on ways to inspire confidence within an organization even as economic stress mounts By Steve Axelrod The current financial meltdown and economic collapse have created an epidemic of confusion and fear in the workplace and beyond. Net worth has plummeted and so has confidence, security and respect for leaders and institutions. The responsibility of a leader is to guide an organization, not only financially, but also towards psychological stability. In order to foster a sense of steadiness despite external disruption, it is valuable to examine some of the emotional forces in play and actions to take in order to keep people focused and engaged…