As I was walking to dinner with my family in Kansas City last week, I was updating one of my business partners about a tough situation and decision I was having to make for the good of the business.  It was something that I didn’t want to do, but a decision I knew needed to be made.  Then he said, “I know you have the RESOLVE.”  That word stuck with me and carried me through that week.  Little did I know how rough last week was going to be.  Not only did I have to make that difficult decision, but I also lost my lifelong mentor and had numerous other issues that every business owner encounters.  As a business owner, I wish I could say that life gets easier.  That it gets to be more predictable, smooth, and easy.  But that would be unfair because it’s not true.  Business life can be heart-wrenchingly gritty and will poke at your sore spots.

There is a quote that says, “True courage is not the brutal force of vulgar heroes, but the firm resolve of virtue and reason.” One of the biggest gains I have had as a leader recently is building my resilience and confidence in my decision-making. Many of the leaders I coach, just like the rest of us, had to make some tough decisions in the past couple of years while maintaining our “True North”.  Now is my decision-making always perfect?  No.  But with good intentions and good reason, I know I can get close.

Do we ever need to pivot as leaders and go in a different direction?  Absolutely.  Sometimes, knowing when to give up can be just as important as knowing when to keep going.  In any organization, there will always be times when the going gets tough and it seems like the only way out is to give up. But great leaders never give up on the mission even when they must chart a new direction. They have the resolve to see things through to the end. So, what is the secret to their success? How do they always seem to find the strength to keep going when the road gets rocky? That is what I’ll be discussing today!


1. Differentiating Between a Setback and a Roadblock

One of the first things that need to be clear to you and your team is whether you are encountering a setback or a roadblock.  To differentiate between them, it’s important to understand what each term means. A setback is an issue or obstacle you encounter along the way that can be overcome. It does not have to be a huge or devastating issue – it can be small or large, but the important thing is that it can be moved past with some effort and perseverance. On the other hand, a roadblock is an issue or obstacle that is much larger and cannot be circumvented no matter how much you have planned or how hard you have worked.

A good example of a setback is when your team encounters a small problem while completing a project. This is likely to be a relatively minor issue and something that can be fixed with some hard work such as a supply chain glitch or an employee that quits. In contrast, a roadblock is an issue that cannot be easily bypassed, such as an unresolvable technical problem or a larger financial concern.

The reason this differentiation is important is that I’ve worked with teams and individuals on teams that “catastrophize” even the smallest hurdle.  Understanding the difference between a setback and a roadblock can help your team to settle down a bit and for you to know the best course of action in any situation. You and your team know you keep going and put in more effort when you encounter a setback, or if you need to seek alternative routes and workarounds when you encounter a roadblock.

2. The Importance of Resilience

Once you have identified if you are dealing with a setback or a roadblock, it’s vital to have
resilience and perseverance. In any situation, good leaders keep pushing forward in pursuit of a
goal, despite the challenges or obstacles they face. To become a great leader, you need to
cultivate qualities of resilience and commitment to your cause to be able to find solutions to
problems and move forward, rather than giving in to the status quo. The most resilient leaders have
a growth mindset and are continuously learning.  So you might be asking yourself if you are
considered to be resilient. Here are a few questions you can ask yourself to see:

● Are you exhausted when faced with setbacks and find it hard to keep trying?
● Are you unable to sustain your energy long enough to bounce back after adversity?
● Are you unable to adapt well to change?
● Are you unable to maintain a positive attitude when faced with conflict?
● Are you unable to find solutions to problems when faced with ambiguity?
● Are you unable to maintain a growth mindset during difficult times?
● Are you unable to be coached?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you could use a tune-up on your resiliency skills.  Great leaders often exhibit resolve when facing difficult situations, inspiring their team members to achieve more than they initially thought possible. Leading by example and showing just how far you can go with hard work and dedication can be outstanding examples of what is achievable.  With perseverance, you can reach your goals and build even great resiliency for both you and your team.

3. The Difference Between Grit and Determination

Grit and determination are closely related, yet there is a critical difference between the two. Grit,
simply put, is making a concerted effort, and staying focused and determined to reach a goal.
Determination is an internal drive to achieve something. When you are determined it takes a goal
further, giving it context and passion.

Grit requires strength, dedication, and repetitive effort while determination requires mental
discipline and an unwavering commitment. Having grit and determination will help leaders stay the
course and reach great heights. It’s also crucial as a leader to share your experiences and stories
when you have hit rock bottom and stayed strong to keep moving toward the goal. After a bit, you
might get a few eye rolls from people you have worked with for a while, but don’t be fooled! They
find it inspiring! Sharing stories of grit and determination gives team members confidence and
when they find themselves in a position of struggle, they will remember the stories which will serve
as motivation and reassurance to keep pushing forward until they have reached their goal. People
who have storytelling skills are not given enough credit in business.

4. How to Develop Mental Toughness

Developing mental toughness may seem like a daunting task, but there are some simple steps
one can take to develop it:

1. Acknowledge Your Feelings – The first and most important step is to acknowledge the difficult
feelings you are having and face them head-on. Understanding that these thoughts/feelings are
normal and temporary will help in the long run. It is because you care!
2. Develop a Positive Internal Dialogue – One of the best methods for developing mental
toughness is by changing your internal narrative. Replace negative thoughts with positive and
encouraging ones. Optimism can be developed!
3. Focus on What’s in Your Control – Learn to tell yourself what is truly within your control and
what is out of your control. Being mindful of the things you can and cannot do will help you not
get frustrated and expend energy on things you cannot change. Then focus on what you can!
4. Strategic Flexibility – Realize that you are always looking for the best way to achieve the
mission with others. So, while you have a definitive way forward, you must remain flexible leaving
room for continuous learning and improvement.
5. Take Action – Acting is one of the best ways to release energy and focus on the task at hand. It
doesn’t have to be a big step; taking small and measurable actions with confidence in your
reasoning will help in the long run. Plus, your decisiveness will be noticed!

5. The Role of Hope in Leadership

I have always said that people need HOPE! Hope is the cornerstone of any successful change leader. As a leader, it is important to remind yourself and your team that difficult situations and times will pass—there is a shrinking light at the end of the tunnel. As a leader, you must also be aware of how each team member is feeling and respond to them with kindness and compassion. Reminding yourself and others that all these tough times are short-term issues can bring solace and lift morale. Maintaining this positive mindset is an important way for a leader to stay in control, even when the situation feels beyond their control. It is essential to keep the end goal in sight and not get too weighed down by setbacks.

If you are feeling overwhelmed, find something that can give you comfort and hope—grounding yourself in your “Why”, going for a walk, talking to trusted advisors, or even hanging out with your furry friends helps. Having a few small moments of hope in your day can help to bring your energy and focus back on track. There are so many ways to find hope; it is up to the leader to find the one that works for them and their team.

Good, effective leaders have something ordinary leaders must develop more of – resolve. They have a vision for the future, and they will not be distracted, discouraged, or dissuaded from accomplishing their end. While this could easily be mistaken as being stubborn, it’s not about being unwilling to emotionally connect, being opposed to listening to the input of others or even making course corrections along the way. Instead, it is about being firm, unyielding, and determined to accomplish a mission that is set before them. This attitude and attribute of leadership are only formed over time as it must undergo tests of endurance, opposition, change, and periods of questioning to be fortified as a true resolve. So, the next time you encounter a roadblock, remember that it will help you build your resolve for next time!