Three Ways to Handle Unexpected Situations

As leaders, we put practices and processes in place to help fulfill our operational goals which, in turn, will accomplish our purposes for existing as a business.

However, no matter how well we establish our plans, there are times when the totally unexpected emerges which may stop us in our tracks and cause us to ask, “Now what am I to do?”

This is where, as leaders, we must be ready to respond to the specific circumstance or situation that is out of the norm.

It’s helpful to be reminded from Scripture of how leaders in the past, including Jesus, handled the unexpected situations that arose under their leadership.

Situational leadership appears to have followed a 3-step process of awareness, analysis and application.

1. Situational Awareness

When a different situation arises, probably one of the biggest mistakes a leader can make is to assume that everything is normal and will simply pass with time. It takes a keen sense of awareness to recognize when there is a need for a response of a different kind.

For instance, Moses taught Joshua well practiced strategies for attacking their enemies successfully. However, he knew situations would arise when Joshua would need to be aware of the need for an unusual and exceptional approach.

As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, 

but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. 

When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him

and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side,

one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset.

Exodus 17:11-12

As a leader, it’s important to ask God to give you the sense of awareness when the normal and ordinary processes need to be adapted to handle unexpected circumstances.

Recall a time when you almost missed the awareness of a

need for an exceptional approach to a particular situation.

What did you learn?

 

2. Situational Analysis

Given the sense of awareness that the situation at hand is exceptional, the next step is to take time to analyze what needs to happen or needs to be done.

Nehemiah was repeatedly confronted with difficult and threatening circumstances requiring him to analyze his options carefully in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem.

Meanwhile, the people in Judah said, “The strength of the laborers is giving out,

and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall.” Also, our enemies

said “Before they know it or see us, we will be right there among them and

will kill them and put an end to the work.” Then the Jews who lived near them

came and told us ten times over, “Wherever you turn, they will attack us.”

Therefore, I stationed some of the people behind the lowest points of the wall

at the exposed places, posting them by families, with their swords, spears, and bows.

Nehemiah 4:10-13

Obviously, Nehemiah demonstrated mastery of a wide range of leadership skills. Notice that he didn’t deal with all opposition to the work in the same manner.

He demonstrated consistency in his leadership, not because he acted consistently but because he consistently acted in a manner that addressed the situation at hand.

Ask God to help you develop this kind of a skill set

that meets the unique needs of each situation.

3. Situational Adaptation

Once a leader has become aware and analyzed the needs of a particular situation, then it requires standard practices and processes to be adapted to respond appropriately.

In preparing and equipping His apostles for their mission, Jesus demonstrated how effectively He adapted His leadership responses to the realities of the situation.

Jesus instructed His disciples when they were uninformed, directed them when they were confused, prodded them when they were reluctant and encouraged them when they were downhearted.

When they were ready, He allotted them limited tasks and responsibilities and then participated with them guiding them through their assignments. Finally, Jesus empowered and commissioned them as His apostles.

Adapting to the specific need in each situation is critical for leadership success.

Identify three recent occasions when you needed to

adapt your response to meet a specific need.

Situational leadership requires that a leader have awareness of when it is needed. Then through careful analysis consider the circumstances and the various options available to response to the situation. Finally, the leader must adapt in his/her response to effectively meet the need of the situation.