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Leadership Skills: Keep Calm and Carry On

Leadership Skills: Keep Calm and Carry On

Leadership Skills: Keep Calm and Carry On

Calm leaders cut through the noise, focus on facts, and guide teams to act with purpose. - Chris Farmer, Lead Trainer, Corporate Coach Group

The phrase 'Keep Calm and Carry On' was designed by the British government in 1939, at the beginning of the second world war. It was intended to raise the morale of the British public in times of trouble.

The slogan disappeared from view for many years until it resurfaced in 2003 and began to be used again on mugs, posters, coffee mats, etc.

Its message is highly relevant today, since there is too much talk of despair and gloom in the press, on TV, in politics and on social media.

The truth about the future is this..... Our future will be whatever we make of it.

Our future will be whatever we make of it

If we lose heart, lose confidence, lose our sense of courage, and entrepreneurialism, then our chances for the future are lessened, accordingly.

If we don't lose heart, if we keep our confidence, keep our courage, and if we do develop our sense of entrepreneurialism, then our chances for the future are improved, accordingly.

Keep Calm and Carry On

Irrespective of your thoughts on whether or not Brexit is good or bad, the fact is that the UK will soon be making its negotiations to leave the EU.

Improve and Succeed

Our job is to succeed and we cannot do that if we keep going over old ground.

We need now to be thinking about how we can maximise our profits in the new situation.

  • What New Markets can you access?
  • What Old Markets can you sustain?
  • What can you do to make the best progress in the minimum time?

The answers to these important questions can only be found by the rational mind.

The emotional mind - the mind full of fear, or anger - cannot function properly.

So do what the minister said;

Keep calm and carry on.

Figure out what you can do to improve your chances for the future, and then do it.

Definition: calm leadership

Calm leadership is when a business leader keeps emotional control in hard times, bases choices on clear reason, shows steady confidence to others, and turns uncertain events into simple action steps. Lose any one of these traits and it is no longer calm leadership.

Show CG4D Definition
Context: business
Genus: principle
Differentia:
  • Keeps full emotional control under pressure
  • Uses rational thinking instead of fear
  • Gives the team clear, confident messages
  • Changes uncertainty into practical action

Article Summary

By keeping calm and carrying on, leaders swap panic for purpose; they weigh facts, spot new markets, and guide teams to profit in uncertain times. Leadership skills built on clear thought and steady confidence show that the future is what we make, not what we fear.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Did You Know: Key Statistics

ONS 2024 data shows 55% of UK firms cite economic uncertainty as a top concern, down from 63% in 2021, indicating growing confidence. LinkedIn Learning 2024 finds 82% of companies believe leaders now need stronger emotional intelligence to handle rapid change, up from 68% in 2020.

About the Author: Chris Farmer

Chris

Chris Farmer is the founder of the Corporate Coach Group and has many years' experience in training leaders and managers, in both the public and private sectors, to achieve their organisational goals, especially during tough economic times. He is also well aware of the disciplines and problems associated with running a business.

Over the years, Chris has designed and delivered thousands of training programmes and has coached and motivated many management teams, groups and individuals. His training programmes are both structured and clear, designed to help delegates organise their thinking and, wherever necessary, to improve their techniques and skills.

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