Fluid Power World

  • Home
  • Articles
    • Cylinders
    • Fittings and Couplings
    • Gauges and Sensors
    • Pumps and Motors
    • Seals
    • Hose and Tubing
    • Valves
  • Videos
  • Suppliers
  • Resources
    • Subscribe to Fluid Power World Print Magazine
    • Digital Issues
    • Distributor Search
    • Virtual Classroom
    • Podcasts
    • Webinars / Digital Events
    • White Papers
  • Events
    • Fluid Power Tech Conference
    • IFPE
  • Subscribe
  • Leadership
    • 2020 Leadership in Fluid Power Winners
    • Leadership in Engineering
      • 2020 LEAP Awards
  • Women in Engineering
    • Women in Fluid Power
    • Women in Engineering

How to lead through a crisis

By Paul Heney | January 27, 2021

Share

At one of the National Fluid Power Association’s recent Future Leaders workshops, John Stenz, the CEO of FORCE America chatted with nearly 60 of the group’s members via Zoom, talking about the proper way to lead companies through a crisis — certainly a timely topic here in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, which has affected most manufacturers.

Stenz explained that great leaders are really stewards. They should stay accessible to their teams and listen to their people. It’s important to “touch the back wall” every day, to be there in the facility and see what is actually happening. As part of that, they need to make sure to share information with the team. Ideally, be optimistic but also realistic; bad news doesn’t get better with age.

Some of his other points included:

  • Elements of culture are so important, and don’t be afraid to be that leader that takes a stand. Make sure everyone knows the company’s reason to exist and where you’re headed as an organization.
  • Watch out for negative forces or personalities — never allow a cancer to grow in your team, or there will be serious consequences across your entire staff.
  • Try to get everyone thinking and acting like an owner. Everyone must know how they create economic value in their actions — or how they could potentially destroy it.
  • Take advantage of your peer groups. When FORCE America encountered a ransomware attack, Stenz used NFPA’s power of networking to collect ideas. His company decided to fight it and wipe all their servers.
  • Embrace the learning that you’re doing in this crisis. Know that you’ll be a better leader when you reach the other side. Focus on the fact that things will be better after the crisis is over. Principles and knowing your true north are far more important than your tactics; you’ll make mistakes but move forward.
  • Sometimes in a crisis, people feel the need to act quickly. It can be more advantageous to instead listen and go to the people you trust. Take the time to learn and then act. Don’t obsess in trying to find the perfect decision. Move, adapt, and keep moving. A crisis is not going to get better with time.
  • With Covid-19, we’ve learned that there are many ways to communicate. Pick up the phone or get on Zoom and talk to people. People like to communicate with each other; they don’t like to be isolated. Focus less on email in these times.

The next crisis your business may experience may not be as widespread as a global pandemic, but finding success in 2020 and 2021 will prepare you for what might personally hit your own business in the future. Keep your team moving forward and learn from Covid-19 to be ready to lead your team through anything.

 

About The Author

Paul Heney

Stay up to date with Fluid Power World

Videos Linked In Webinars Digital Issue

Fluid Power World 2020 Handbook

Fluid Power World Digital Editions

Fluid Power World Digital EditionBrowse the most current issue of Fluid Power World and back issues in an easy to use high quality format. Bookmark, share and interact with the leading fluid power magazine today.

RSS Featured White Papers

  • Quick Connect Couplings: A Critical Component in Hydraulic Systems
  • Electronic cards in mobile proportional technology
  • Pressure regulators – what you must know to specify

Follow Paul on Twitter

Tweets by @wtwh_paulheney

Follow Mary on Twitter

Tweets by @DW_MaryGannon

Design Guides

Pneumatic Actuators Design Guide

Pneumatic Actuators Design Guide

Hydraulic Cylinders Design Guide
Fluid Power World
  • Hose Assembly Tips
  • Mobile Hydraulic Tips
  • Pneumatic Tips
  • Sealing & Contamination Control Tips
  • Advertise
  • About us
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2021 WTWH Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Site Map | Privacy Policy | RSS

Search Fluid Power World

  • Home
  • Articles
    • Cylinders
    • Fittings and Couplings
    • Gauges and Sensors
    • Pumps and Motors
    • Seals
    • Hose and Tubing
    • Valves
  • Videos
  • Suppliers
  • Resources
    • Subscribe to Fluid Power World Print Magazine
    • Digital Issues
    • Distributor Search
    • Virtual Classroom
    • Podcasts
    • Webinars / Digital Events
    • White Papers
  • Events
    • Fluid Power Tech Conference
    • IFPE
  • Subscribe
  • Leadership
    • 2020 Leadership in Fluid Power Winners
    • Leadership in Engineering
      • 2020 LEAP Awards
  • Women in Engineering
    • Women in Fluid Power
    • Women in Engineering