being visible in tough times

Sometimes leaders have to make tough decisions, whether it has to do with closing down a business unit or letting someone go. I recognise that this is a part of working life and that there may be a bigger picture at play. There are times when its impossible to save someone’s job and in those situations, what matters more is whether you did your best as a leader. Maybe its helping them find another job, maybe its just calling to check up on the individual, maybe its just listening with an open heart. Most of all it’s about leading to make a difference in the lives of the people we touch. Being there for the good times to celebrate wins is one thing but a true test of a leader comes when he/she chooses to be there when someone he/she manages is going through a tough time. This is when leadership needs to be visible and when leaders need to stand by their employees.Its easy to pretend that its not there because it makes us uncomfortable but I happen to believe that we need to do things that make us uncomfortable to help us grow as individuals. How else are we going to be a good example to the people we manage?