For my first blog of 2020 – a new decade that will no doubt bring profound change – I thought it fitting to discuss the leader’s role during such challenging times.
One organization that is currently going through a transformational change is the Military Health System. This complex system provides healthcare for Army, Navy and Air Force warriors, their families, and retirees. The goal for the congressionally mandated change is noble – to improve the readiness of our forces and the health care to all beneficiaries.
The mission of providing quality healthcare for our country’s warriors and their families around the globe will continue as military leaders simultaneously navigate these changes. This is true of almost all organizations that go through change – the day to day work continues. However, any change, and certainly significant change, can cause distractions for employees tasked to continue the work. What can leaders do to keep their employees focused on the job during these transitional periods?
How we react to the changes – which is 100% under our control – will directly influence how our team will react.
Identify those things that are within your span of control…and those things that are not.
What’s outside our control? The changes themselves.
In our Military Health System example, the majority – if not all – decisions regarding changes in the healthcare delivery will ultimately be controlled and made by those at high levels within the military. This is the case in almost all organizations. While there will be opportunities for workers and leaders at all levels to provide input, by and large, these decisions are outside our span of control. The question then becomes – if they’re outside our span of control, why do we spend time and energy concerning ourselves with them?
The answer is obvious – changes impact workers directly. What can we do to help our team stay focused while the changes swirl about us?
Above all else, remain calm.
We control our behaviors, and that is where our focus should be. More specifically, how we react to the changes – which is 100% under our control – will directly influence how our team will react. Gallup has shown that the behaviors of the leader are emulated. Think of yourself as a contagion. If you remain calm and focused on the job, by and large, your team will stay calm and focused. Further, communicate with your team often, listen to their concerns, ask and listen to their input and, above all else, remain calm.
If you recall from my November, 2019 blog, my next book will tell the story of how a soft-spoken, quiet man led 2 million soldiers and sailors scattered over 60 million square miles – nearly half the world’s surface. It’s the story of leadership behaviors employed by Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz between 1941 and 1945 that won an overwhelming victory over the Empire of Japan in World War II. The behaviors employed by Nimitz are as applicable today as they were in the 1940’s.
Grandfather Charles Henry Nimitz with young Chester Nimitz. Circa 1905
One prominent behavior of Nimitz which led to his success was his uncanny ability to not concern himself with things over which he had no control. Nimitz no doubt learned this from his grandfather – Charles Henry Nimitz. Young Chester lost his own father right before he was born and his gregarious, fun-loving grandfather played a significant role in the upbringing of the future fleet admiral. The white-bearded grandfather would repeatedly tell young Chester: “Don’t worry about things over which you have no control.”
During the battle of Leyte Gulf in October, 1944 – the largest naval battle in human history and a battle that would result in massive changes regarding the Pacific War going forward – Admiral Nimitz was thousands of miles away in his headquarters in Hawaii. 
Prior to the epic battle, Nimitz had spent hundreds of hours visiting with his team, calmly and honestly answering questions, asking for and listening to their input, as well as their concerns. As the day of battle approached, Nimitz realized that preparations were complete, orders had been given, and the outcome of the battle was outside his control.
What did Nimitz do during the battle? He remained focused on his behaviors. While he was extremely anxious, outwardly he remained calm. One month before his death, Nimitz disclosed his temperament during the battle. He wrote, “I was on pins and needles, but couldn’t show it.”1. Amazingly, to convey an air of calm, he then proceeded to play horseshoes. 
He recalled his grandfather’s wise counsel to not worry about things over which he had no control.
To keep your employees focused on the job during times of change, don’t concern yourself with things over which you have no control – and there will be much! Instead, be a great leader and be attentive to your behaviors. You’re a contagion. How you react will be emulated by your team. Stay calm. Visit with members, listen to their concerns, and ask and listen to their input. Communicate with them often. Pass along information quickly. Be open and honest. If there is no new information to pass, tell them. Acknowledge things that are outside your control. Remind them of the importance of their job.
Be a great leader. During times of change, like Nimitz, you’ll often find yourself on pins and needles. However, be like Nimitz and don’t show it. You don’t need to have all the answers. You do need to show a steady hand, confident smile, and calm disposition.
- Nimitz, Some thoughts to live by. Published in Boys Life, January 1966.
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In times of change, don’t concern yourself with things over which you have no control.
Focus on your behaviors – how you react will directly influence how your team will react.
Specifically:
- Visit with members, listen to their concerns, and ask and listen to their input.
- Communicate with your employees often – pass along information quickly.
- Be open and honest – you don’t have to have all the answers.
- Acknowledge things that are outside your control.
- Remind them of the importance of their job.
- Above all else, show a steady hand, confident smile, and calm disposition.