When a crisis strikes, most people look outward for answers, but great leaders know the real work begins with focus. What we choose to fix our attention on shapes how we respond, how our teams respond, and ultimately, how we emerge.
“In a crisis, the leader’s greatest tool is focus.”
Here are 10 focus shifts that create resilience in difficult times:
Focus on Others → Selflessness is an anchor. In a crisis, your team is watching how you show up. Shift from “me” to “we.”
Focus on Relationships → Connection is the greatest stabilizer. Nurture trust; it will carry you further than tactics.
Focus on Giving & Supporting → In hard times, generosity isn’t just noble, it’s strategic. Leaders who give earn loyalty.
Focus on Gains, Not Losses → What you measure matters. Shift your scorecard from what’s slipping away to what you’ve built and retained.
Focus on Momentum → Progress, not perfection. Even small wins create movement and energy when things feel stuck.
Focus on the Moment → Pause. Breathe. Presence prevents panic. The future is built one steady moment at a time.
Focus on Who You Can Be → Crisis reveals character. Ask yourself daily: Who am I becoming in this challenge?
Focus on Response, Not Event → You can’t control the crisis, but you can control your choices. Response is where leadership lives.
Focus on What’s Available, Not Missing → Scarcity shrinks imagination. Availability expands it. Work with what you have.
Focus on What’s Going Well → Gratitude isn’t denial. It’s fuel. When leaders name what’s working, teams find the courage to keep going.
Takeaway: In a crisis, the leader’s greatest tool is focus. Attention is energy. What you focus on expands in yourself, your team, and your culture.
This “Crisis Manual” is one of the frameworks I share with leadership teams navigating change and uncertainty. If your organization is ready to shift from panic to progress, let's connect.