Remember when you were in grade school and your teacher or your parents told you to stand up straight? I slumped a lot, so that helped me remember to project a better image.

Today, people are looking for leaders who stand up and take authority. Leaders who "know the way, show they way and go the way," as John Maxwell says. Too often we fall victim to wannabe leaders who think they can lead, but have no track record of leadership. 

Most people in the past election were looking for leaders who stood up and took charge. Unfortunately, we all too often elect people who promise us what they cannot produce and fail to find people who are standing up strong in a crisis. Pointing fingers is the last act of a losing leader. 

As a leader, you need to be standing up and leading while everyone else is sitting or cowering in fear. People will follow someone who projects hope to them. They want someone who has delivered and will deliver them to a better future.

I guarantee you that as a leader, when you stand up and stand out, people will look to you for support. Ed Bastian, CEO of Delta Airlines came out immediately when the pandemic began with a statement that said, "We have prepared, we have made adjustments and we are ready." It gave hope to travelers and his employees worldwide.

It is alright to be uncertain, but we can never be unclear to our people. Project positive focus and strength when people need it the most. You will come out a stronger leader in the end and more people will support your leadership and follow you going forward.

People buy into the leader before they buy into the vision or plan.

Leaders stand up, rise to the occasion and lift others up. A leader, while IN the crowd is not OF the crowd. They are connected with the people, but rise above the circumstances. It shows everyone they are in charge and leading. Roddy Galbraith says, “Those who rise to the top are those who can stand up and speak well.”

We tend to favor those who stand up and speak up into people’s lives and wants. We like people who speak of the hope in times of trouble. Winston Churchill faced over 57 versions of 9-11 in the Battle of Britain in WWII. Each morning he would go out, walk among the people, observe the rubble and give the famous two-finger “V” for victory. He told the people that the Nazis could bomb them all they want, but the British would never surrender. It gave immense encouragement to the people of England.

Are you standing up, sitting down, or cowering in the corner?  It’s a matter of “crisis LEADERSHIP vs. crisis MANAGEMENT.” A crisis can’t be managed incrementally, but you can lead others out of your experiences in PAST crises. Share those with your key influencers in the business, then encourage them to share those with everyone they come into contact. People need encouragement now more than ever. Have online encouraging and listening meetings… like this one!  Embrace technology. Many people are working from home, so you have a captive audience if you deliver value and put people first!

Can you stand up, speak clearly and calmly to others in this crisis? The proverb says, “A gentle answer turns away rage, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Can you stand up when everyone else is sitting down? Your people will look UP to you for leadership more if your posture says you are in charge.