THREE KEYS TO LEADING THROUGH ADVERSITY

  • Author:
  • Los Angeles, CA, USA
Read the news article

In March 2020, when the world shut down and my live event calendar was wiped clean—I was concerned about working virtually and leading through adversity

As my speaking business went online, I wondered if it would survive the transformation. Would I still have an impact? Would I still matter? I’m sure you asked yourself similar questions regarding the events you plan.

While some businesses have adapted to their new normal, the events industry is in unprecedented flux, challenged by the economy, staffing shortages, Covid-19 guidelines, crunched timelines, and more. However, I’ve learned that regardless of the challenges and whether or not your business is happening in person, virtually, or via hybrid, there are three approaches commonly used by those who adapt and thrive.

Be Purpose Driven

Uncovering your organizational and individual purpose creates a north star amidst adversity. Research shows it can improve focus, resilience, and motivation—all things that leaders need to navigate people and processes through change.

If you want to develop self-driven, motivated people who will take ownership of their work, help them uncover their individual purpose and then connect that purpose to the organization’s purpose. This is how you tap into the power of intrinsic motivation that drives organizational excellence.

As a meeting planner, your purpose is to create meaningful connections and transformational experiences. Keep this top of mind and detach from past expectations. We might not have the time, resources, or budgets we had in the past, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still create impact.

Whether you need to hire new employees or retain the ones you have, people want to work for a leader and a company that contribute to something bigger than themselves. This doesn’t mean you have to start a non-profit, but infusing purpose into your business can be a competitive advantage during staffing shortages.

THREE KEYS TO LEADING THROUGH ADVERSITY

Be Future Focused

Vision and optimism are the keys to a future-focused approach. If we want to lead people through change, we have to emotionally connect them to a purpose-driven vision. We must tell a story about why this future is worth pursuing and include them in the journey.

Then we have to pursue this vision with optimism. What I’ve learned is that optimism is a choice. It’s something we choose every moment. Are we focusing on problems, or are we focusing on solutions? There are no neutral thoughts. We either have limiting beliefs that keep us stuck in the past or empowering beliefs that move us toward our vision.

Be Heart Centered

Leading others from our heart starts with leading ourselves from our heart. Our relationship with ourselves directly reflects on our relationships with the people we lead.

With so much uncertainty and change in the events space, it’s easy to be overly critical and judge ourselves. That is why we must practice self-compassion—an antidote to stress and burnout. Once we show up for ourselves, we can then show up for others.

As leaders, one of our roles is to make others feel like they belong; this is a top human-capital issue businesses face today. The widespread lack of connection has people craving to belong to something bigger than themselves.

The key is to invest in relationships. Even a simple handwritten thank-you card to a supplier or contractor after an event can go a long way toward creating a sense of belonging. And that contributes to engagement, performance, and retention.

Mike Lee has blended his background working with some of basketball’s elite, with mindfulness and emotional intelligence, to help high-performers unlock the human potential within.

Contact us at Speakers Inc and click here to find more Motivational Speakers

Further articles you may enjoy:

  • (9)

Elyse Archer: The Sales Speaker Rewriting the Rules of Success In the ever-evolving landscape of sales, where trust, authenticity, and personal branding have become non-negotiables, event planners are constantly seeking voices that cut through the noise. Enter Elyse Archer—a globally recognized speaker whose magnetic stage presence and actionable strategies are redefining what it means to […]

  • May 6, 2025
  • (12)

Hey there, are you a white person wondering what to do as an ally for Black people right now? A lot of my white friends have been asking, you’re not alone. I’ve received several questions from friends wanting to do something so I thought I’d compile these all on one place. This is the work […]

  • March 10, 2023
  • (37)

Inspiring Leadership: A Deep Dive into the Top Military Speakers in North America Top Military Speakers possess a unique ability to captivate audiences with their stories of leadership, resilience, and dedication to a greater cause. In North America, a diverse array of military leaders, veterans, and experts take the stage to share their insights, experiences, […]

  • February 1, 2024
  • (14)

The Status Quo of Crisis Preparedness Puts You at a Disadvantage—and It’s Time For That To Change. Over the last couple of years, I’ve found myself increasingly frustrated with my industry, the crisis management profession. To put my frustration simply, the status quo of crisis preparedness and crisis management no longer suffices and, as a […]

  • January 18, 2023
  • (13)

What Is Customer Experience? Why It’s the Business Strategy You Can’t Afford to Ignore In today’s ultra-competitive marketplace, your product or service alone isn’t enough to guarantee growth. What truly sets businesses apart now is the way they make people feel—before, during, and after a transaction. That’s where Customer Experience comes in. But before you […]

  • April 18, 2025
  • (7)

A couple of weeks ago I was in Orlando for a talk. And, the night before I was sitting at the hotel restaurant grabbing some dinner. Out of the corner of my eye I saw that there was a basketball game on the tv at the bar and I knew the THE 3 C’S OF […]

  • January 14, 2023
  • (13)

In today’s fast-paced, ever-changing world, one thing has become abundantly clear: Authentic Leadership Matters more than ever. It’s not about being perfect or having all the answers—it’s about leading with integrity, vulnerability, and a genuine connection to your team. Authentic leadership is the foundation for building trust, fostering collaboration, and achieving meaningful results that go […]

  • November 18, 2024
  • (21)

Remembering Eddie Osterland: America’s First Master Sommelier The wine world lost a true pioneer in September 2023 with the passing of Eddie Osterland, America’s first Master Sommelier. A trailblazer in the industry, Eddie was more than just a wine expert; he was an educator, an entertainer, and an inspiration to countless professionals and enthusiasts alike. […]

  • September 7, 2023

Subscribe to our Newsletter and get connected:

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated.

We use Brevo as our marketing platform. By submitting this form you agree that the personal data you provided will be transferred to Brevo for processing in accordance with Brevo's Privacy Policy.

Our Mission:

We are your partner creating memorable and engaging experiences that go beyond the event itself.

© All rights reserved 2025.  Designed using Voxel