I have a leadership role in a large company. We recently went through a round of layoffs; another round may follow. As job security gets shaky, morale is taking a dive. I am no more immune to this effect than my people. Any advice on what to tell them — and myself?

In leadership, you have no choice but to focus on what heals your organization. One of the major reasons leaders are promoted or appointed is to manage crisis situations. I remind all newly appointed leaders in my organization that when you “sign up” for leadership you sign up for bad news. Even during boom times, leaders receive a disproportionate share of negativity. It is your job as a leader to be strong for others by demonstrating the virtues of courage and fortitude.

Quite often, the people you lead will act like a toddler taking a fall in the presence of her mother. Before she cries, she will often look to see how Mom is reacting. If Mom looks scared, the toddler responds in kind. But if Mom responds with a smile and words of reassurance, the child will often hold back her tears and go back to playing.

When it comes to reassuring your worried staff, you will not find it easy to follow this example. But, often, the optimistic approach is what separates great leaders from the rest. If you show fear, you can be assured of failure. If you demonstrate confidence, you have a fighting chance of victory.

Even though you have your own insecurities, you need to focus on the solutions and strategies for navigating through these times. You can be sure that William Wallace, Winston Churchill and Ronald Reagan all had personal fears that they quelled in order to bolster and inspire the people they led. FDR, of course, famously said, “There is nothing to fear but fear itself,” and John Paul the Great said, “Have no fear of moving into the unknown. Simply step out fearlessly. … Do this in complete faith and confidence.”

The logical objection that you may have to this suggestion is to ask: “But how do I know that things will turn out okay?”

To which I answer: You can’t know how things will work out, but you can know that they will. Everything will be okay because you, as a leader, will find answers to the tough questions your people ask. If you play offense and move forward instead of playing defense and running from your problems, you will probably find yourself sitting on your porch a few years from now telling a great story of ingenuity and success that was born out of desperation and necessity.

The first chapter of almost every great success story starts that way. From the story of America to the advance of modern medicine, desperation leading to ingenuity is the theme. Keep your team focused on what they can control, and they will have less time to dwell on their problems.

As Catholics, we can find solace in the fact that our lives are meant to prepare and perfect us for heaven. These difficult times are often what we need to stay on that course.

Catholic business

consultant Dave Durand

is online at DaveDurand.com.