Leadership Skills: Keep Calm and Carry On
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;
Figure out what you can do to improve your chances for the future, and then do it.
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.
CG4D Definition
Context: Business
Genus: Principle
- 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.