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I know that many organisations will be facing similar challenges to those with whom I am currently serving, simply because working with human nature takes centre stage in tough times.

As a leader you don’t want to be at a place where people have lost hope.

In tough times the neurological tendency is a screaming for survival, as our first retort is to protect ourselves. It’s a vital first response and may be the reason why we are still here today.

Because the thoughts fending for our survival are subliminal, we must be particularly vigilant and thoughtful in all that we do, and in all that we neglect to do.

The protective behavioural tendency for individuals to focus ‘inwards’ becomes mirrored in departmental attitudes and interacting with others; the outcome is that a one-team ethos flies out the window.

The treasured skill of working with people is predicated on the ability that you understand how to work with human nature. Ignore this truth and a prime opportunity for progress is lost as we are most open to learning during adversity, but only if the golden rule applies.

Let’s use this time to build models, organisations and teams which are ‘in touch’ so that the next time perfect storms of adversity engulf us, we will not be staring into a void. Furthermore, bouncing back will be quicker should we acquire a ‘safety net’ through learning now.

Hard luck, maturity, attitude, understanding? Whatever the disparaging reasons are for the ‘internal’ battles currently being fought, they will be costly as they leech the energy and thoughtfulness required to perform externally.

Build solid foundations to act as safety nets so that when people fall, they will rebound quicker. Your safety net may be their having the self-assurance of knowing that it’s ok, we will get through this. The sun will shine tomorrow.

I am the author of Leading Self and Others (how to make a difference where you are with what you’ve got) and Teaming with ideas (life lessons in teams- from business, sport and parkrun). You can contact me here.