8 Essential Leadership Qualities for Guiding Your Team Through Tough Times
- Brainz Magazine
- 3 hours ago
- 11 min read
Heidi Richards Mooney is a dynamic professional speaker, celebrated author, seasoned entrepreneur, and a Senior Executive Contributor dedicated to empowering individuals and businesses to succeed. As a past president of the Florida Speakers Association, she has inspired countless audiences with her expertise in PR, internet marketing, and brand elevation.
Leading is easy when everything is running smoothly. The true test of leadership, however, comes during times of crisis and uncertainty. Whether it’s economic downturns, industry shifts, or global challenges, strong leadership is what keeps teams focused, resilient, and motivated.
When the road ahead seems uncertain, great leaders rise to the occasion. Here are eight key qualities that will help you guide your team through difficult times, along with real-world examples of leaders who have demonstrated these qualities.
1. Resilience and grit
Grit is more than just perseverance; it’s the ability to push forward despite setbacks, staying committed to the mission no matter how tough the circumstances. Resilient leaders set the tone, showing their teams that setbacks are not the end but merely obstacles to overcome.
Example: Reshma Saujani, founder of Girls Who Code, ran for U.S. Congress in 2010, becoming the first Indian-American woman to do so. Despite losing, she didn't give up. Instead, she focused on closing the gender gap in tech, founding Girls Who Code in 2012. Through setbacks and industry resistance, her persistence has helped over 500,000 girls learn coding skills, preparing them for high-paying STEM careers.
Today, Girls Who Code is a leading nonprofit with a national footprint, having reached over 450,000 girls through its various programs. It has not only introduced young girls to programming and coding, but it has also inspired them to pursue careers in tech and leadership. Many of GWC’s alumni have gone on to land roles in top tech companies, breaking the barriers that once kept women out of these spaces.
Reshma Saujani’s grit was a driving force behind this success. She didn’t allow initial rejections or failures to deter her. Instead, she used those setbacks to push harder, refine her approach, and ensure the sustainability of her initiative. Her unwavering commitment to the mission fueled the organization's growth and ability to make a lasting difference in the lives of thousands of girls.
2. Optimism with a vision
A strong leader doesn’t ignore challenges but instead instills hope by focusing on opportunities beyond the struggle. Optimism isn’t about wishful thinking; it’s about fostering a belief that better days are ahead and inspiring confidence in the team’s ability to navigate hardships.
In 1980, Candy Lightner’s 13-year-old daughter, Carrie, was struck and killed by a drunk driver in California. The tragedy was a profound personal loss that would have shattered most people, but for Candy, it became the catalyst for something much larger.
At the time, drunk driving was a widespread issue, yet there were no significant national movements focused on preventing it. The laws were relatively lax, and people didn't fully grasp the deadly consequences of impaired driving. However, Candy Lightner was determined that Carrie’s death would not be in vain. She chose to turn her grief into action and created a bold vision to raise awareness, change public policy, and ultimately save lives.
What made Lightner’s leadership exceptional was her unwavering optimism in the face of adversity. Instead of succumbing to grief and hopelessness, she believed that through organized action and public education, the problem of drunk driving could be dramatically reduced. Lightner’s vision was not only to raise awareness but also to shift the way society viewed drunk driving, transforming it from a relatively overlooked issue into a public health crisis that needed urgent attention.
Despite facing tremendous personal pain and societal indifference, Lightner maintained an optimistic belief that her efforts could inspire change. She envisioned a future where drunk driving would not only be less accepted but where society would take stronger legal action, leading to fewer deaths and injuries. Her optimism wasn't naive; rather, it was grounded in a clear vision for systemic change that would require both time and effort, but was certainly achievable.
3. Practical problem-solving
While optimism is essential, leaders must also remain pragmatic. Facing challenges with intelligence and common sense ensures that teams make informed decisions rather than relying on unrealistic expectations. Balancing positivity with practical strategies helps steer the team in the right direction.
Elizabeth A. Davis: Problem-solving during the COVID-19 pandemic
During the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare systems were overwhelmed and struggling to adjust to the new health crisis. Elizabeth A. Davis, a relatively lesser-known leader in healthcare, stepped up to lead Norton Healthcare through this tumultuous time.
Faced with staff shortages, mounting patient numbers, and logistical hurdles, Davis implemented several practical solutions:
Resource optimization: She initiated a strategy to reallocate medical staff across different units, leveraging existing personnel in areas where they were most needed, without compromising patient care.
Streamlining processes: Under her leadership, the hospital system set up drive-through testing facilities and managed the distribution of vaccines, quickly turning public health needs into a smooth operational process.
Mental health support for staff: Acknowledging the stress healthcare workers were under, Davis implemented mental health resources to support her team, including counseling services and mandatory time off to prevent burnout.
By focusing on practical solutions that met the immediate needs of the organization and its staff, Davis demonstrated incredible leadership, ensuring her healthcare system continued to operate efficiently during a crisis while keeping the well-being of staff and patients a top priority.
Her ability to adapt and find practical solutions to a high-pressure situation proved that real leadership is about solving immediate problems with ingenuity and compassion.
4. Selfless leadership
True leaders put their team first. Rather than looking for an easy way out, they focus on supporting, protecting, and guiding those they lead. They understand that leadership is about service, ensuring that their team has the tools, encouragement, and direction needed to succeed.
Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger: Selfless leadership in the face of crisis
Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, the pilot who famously landed US Airways Flight 1549 on the Hudson River in 2009, is widely regarded as a model of selfless leadership. His actions on that fateful day not only saved the lives of all 155 passengers and crew members aboard the aircraft, but they also highlighted the true essence of leadership in a life-and-death situation: putting others before oneself, staying calm under extreme pressure, and making decisions that ensure the safety and well-being of everyone involved.
The crisis: A miracle on the Hudson
On January 15, 2009, Captain Sully, along with his First Officer Jeffrey Skiles, was piloting a routine flight from LaGuardia Airport in New York to Charlotte, North Carolina. Just minutes after takeoff, the Airbus A320 struck a flock of Canadian geese, resulting in a dual engine failure. In a split second, Sully was forced to make a life-or-death decision: attempt to return to LaGuardia Airport or perform an emergency water landing in the Hudson River.
The standard procedure in aviation is to attempt to return to the departure airport. However, Sully, with his extensive experience and quick thinking, realized that returning to LaGuardia wasn’t feasible. He made the bold decision to land the plane in the Hudson River, a maneuver that required not only technical skill but also immense courage and selflessness.
Selfless leadership in action
The true nature of Sully’s selfless leadership became evident in how he handled the crisis. In the moments after the birds struck the plane, Captain Sullenberger had to make several critical decisions that would impact the lives of everyone aboard. While he was undoubtedly aware of the risks involved in making an emergency landing, his primary focus was on ensuring the safety and well-being of the passengers and crew, not his own.
Legacy of selflessness
Captain Sully’s actions on that day exemplified selfless leadership in every sense of the word. His decision-making, his calm under pressure, and his unrelenting focus on the safety of others rather than himself are all hallmarks of true leadership. Sully didn’t seek attention or personal glory. Instead, he saw himself as a servant leader, focused on the needs of others and on achieving the best possible outcome for the passengers and crew.
His story is a powerful reminder that selflessness in leadership can have a lasting impact. In moments of crisis, leaders are often tested, and it is their ability to place others before themselves that defines their character. Sully's heroic actions weren’t just about landing a plane safely; they were about choosing what was right over what was easy, prioritizing the well-being of others over his own comfort or recognition.
5. Unwavering determination
In challenging times, uncertainty and frustration can create tension within teams. A strong leader remains firm in their decisions while addressing concerns head-on. They set clear expectations, reinforce unity, and lead with confidence, ensuring that negativity doesn’t derail progress.
Bryan Stevenson, the founder of the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) and author of Just Mercy
For over three decades, Stevenson has fought tirelessly for wrongfully convicted individuals, death row inmates, and marginalized communities in the U.S. legal system. Despite facing threats, resistance from lawmakers, and systemic barriers, he has:
Overturned wrongful convictions for over 135 people on death row.
Helped abolish life sentences without parole for juveniles.
Opened the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, honoring lynching victims and confronting racial injustice.
His work continues despite pushback from political leaders and institutions resistant to change. Stevenson’s unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and human rights proves that true leaders keep pushing forward, even when the odds are stacked against them.
6. Consistent encouragement
During tough times, motivation can dwindle. Leaders who actively encourage their teams, whether through recognition, positive reinforcement, or simply being present, help sustain morale. Small gestures like a kind word, a personal check-in, or public acknowledgment of hard work can go a long way.
Amanda Nguyen, a remarkable civil rights activist and founder of Rise, is a shining example of how consistent encouragement can propel a cause forward and inspire others to join in the fight for justice. Her leadership in advocating for survivors of sexual assault and her relentless pursuit of legal reform demonstrate the power of encouragement in creating lasting change.
The catalyst: Personal trauma to national advocacy
In 2013, Amanda Nguyen's life was forever changed when she became a victim of a sexual assault. In the aftermath, she found herself struggling not only with the emotional and psychological trauma of the assault but also with an overwhelming legal system that seemed indifferent to her and other survivors' needs. The lack of support and resources for sexual assault survivors was deeply disturbing to Nguyen, and it ignited her passion to create a movement that would support survivors and bring about necessary legal changes.
Despite the obstacles she faced, Nguyen chose not to let this injustice define her. Instead, she decided to turn her personal pain into powerful action. Her vision was to create a legal framework that would allow sexual assault survivors to have more rights and a voice in the criminal justice process. This would require not only pushing for legal reform but also motivating others to join her in this fight.
Amanda Nguyen’s leadership journey exemplifies how consistent encouragement can fuel not just an individual’s drive, but can also foster collective action that leads to real, meaningful change. Through her personal pain, Nguyen encouraged countless others to step forward, to believe in their voices, and to push for the legal reforms that they needed. Her story is a powerful reminder that when leaders encourage others with compassion, belief, and vision, they can transform challenges into opportunities for positive change.
7. Proactive planning
Great leaders anticipate challenges before they arise. They don’t wait for a crisis to unfold before taking action; instead, they develop contingency plans and prepare their teams for various scenarios. Being proactive rather than reactive fosters confidence and stability.
The story of Kris Kobach and the refugee crisis response in Kansas
Kris Kobach, a former Kansas Secretary of State, offers an interesting and lesser-known example of proactive planning. His foresight and strategic thinking around the refugee crisis led to the establishment of a comprehensive state-level refugee resettlement program that has had a long-lasting impact on the state's economy and its cultural landscape.
Identifying a future need
In the mid-2000s, the United States was experiencing a significant refugee crisis, largely driven by instability in countries like Iraq, Somalia, and Sudan. With an influx of refugees seeking asylum in the country, many states were facing challenges with housing, employment, and integration.
However, Kris Kobach, long before the crisis became a nationwide concern, anticipated the strain these populations would place on state services and resources, as well as the opportunity for economic growth through their integration. Rather than waiting for the issue to escalate, he took a proactive approach in preparing Kansas to manage the refugee resettlement process.
Strategic planning and building partnerships
Instead of relying solely on federal or local authorities, Kobach took matters into his own hands by assembling a team of community leaders, policymakers, and service providers, including nonprofits and business leaders, to create a cohesive refugee integration plan.
8. Courage under pressure
Fear can spread quickly in uncertain times. Leaders who remain calm and courageous in the face of adversity provide reassurance to their teams. By demonstrating confidence, they empower their teams to face challenges head-on rather than retreat in fear.
José Andrés, a world-renowned chef, restaurateur, and humanitarian, is a striking example of how courage under pressure can make a profound difference in both the food industry and the lives of people facing crisis. His leadership during moments of disaster and his courage to act in high-pressure situations have not only saved lives but also demonstrated how one individual can rally a community and instigate change when the stakes are highest.
One of the most powerful demonstrations of José Andrés' courage under pressure came after Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico in 2017. The island was hit with catastrophic destruction, and the recovery process was painfully slow. Power outages, flooding, and widespread damage left many people without access to food, clean water, and basic necessities.
In the face of this unprecedented crisis, José Andrés and his team at World Central Kitchen sprang into action. When much of the world was waiting for aid to arrive, Andrés chose to act with urgency, mobilizing resources to provide meals for those in need. In the immediate aftermath of the hurricane, World Central Kitchen set up kitchen operations in various locations, turning public spaces into massive food production hubs.
Despite the overwhelming challenges, limited infrastructure, no electricity, and communication breakdowns, Andrés and his team demonstrated extraordinary courage under pressure. They didn’t wait for red tape or perfect conditions to act; instead, they took action with speed and determination, knowing that people were hungry and every minute counted.
José Andrés' leadership was instrumental in feeding millions in Puerto Rico in the wake of Hurricane Maria. His willingness to step into the unknown and navigate a disaster zone required not only operational skill but also moral courage. In an environment where people were uncertain about the future and suffering from extreme stress, José Andrés' actions provided both nourishment and hope to those in need.
José Andrés' leadership demonstrates the profound impact of courage under pressure. He exemplifies how true leaders rise to the occasion when the stakes are highest, when the environment is unpredictable, and when resources are scarce. Through his quick action, selfless dedication, and unwavering resolve, Andrés not only provided food but also gave people the hope and resilience they needed to rebuild and recover. His ability to thrive in chaotic, high-pressure situations has made him an inspirational figure, reminding us all that courage in the face of adversity can change the course of history.
The best leaders
The best leaders aren’t just present when things are going well; they shine in difficult moments. By cultivating these eight qualities, resilience, optimism, pragmatism, selflessness, determination, encouragement, preparedness, and courage, you can guide your team through any storm.
Tough times will pass, but the impact of great leadership lasts forever.
Ready to lead with purpose?
If you’re inspired to deepen your leadership journey, especially within mission-driven work, check out my latest book, The Foundations for Nonprofit Leadership, a guide designed to help you lead with clarity, compassion, and confidence.
Because the world doesn’t just need more leaders, it needs more intentional ones.
To learn more and get your copy, visit here.
Read more from Heidi Richards Mooney
Heidi Richards Mooney, Author, Coach & Entrepreneur
Heidi Richards Mooney is a dynamic professional speaker, celebrated author, seasoned entrepreneur, and a Senior Executive Contributor dedicated to empowering individuals and businesses to succeed. As a past president of the Florida Speakers Association, she has inspired countless audiences with her expertise in PR, internet marketing, and brand elevation.
A small business owner and PR strategist, Heidi specializes in helping clients amplify their online presence, craft compelling narratives, and achieve measurable results. She empowers her clients to get their websites and online profiles noticed by leveraging innovative Public Relations campaigns, capitalizing on achievements to secure media attention, and building a consistent and influential brand voice.
