There are times in the life of every organization when things are not going well. Momentum has been lost. The future looks bleak. It is during these dark times when leadership is needed most because things are hanging in the balance.
A Season Hanging In The Balance
Heading into its Sunday evening game against the Houston Rockets, the Portland Trailblazers had a record of 28-31. While this sub-.500 record had them tied with the Oklahoma City Thunder for eleventh-place in the Western Conference, they were only four games behind the fourth-place Phoenix Suns. Things could go either way. A winning streak would position the Trailblazers for a nice play-off run. Conversely, a losing streak would mean the season would certainly be lost.
A Historic Performance
It is during these times, where things are hanging in the balance, that leadership is needed the most. And that is exactly what superstar guard Damian Lilliard did, he stepped up as a leader.
As recorded in this The Athletic article written by Jason Quick, Lillard told his teammates, “It has to happen now. The urgency has to pick up. This is it.’’ Lillard would then lead by example have the game of his lifetime. The following is what Lillard accomplished the night of February 26, 2023:
- Lillard scored a franchise record and career-high 71 points.
- It was the 8th highest individual scoring game in NBA history.
- Lillard would make 13-of-22 3-pointers, the second most ever in a NBA game.
Afterwards, Lillard was not focused on his historic accomplishments but rather on the team’s needs and what is required of him as its leader. He said, “We got 22, 23 games after this and we need to win as many as possible. Obviously being short-handed, I know it’ll be a team effort. But I feel like I got to do my best to be aggressive and just try to do what I can to make sure we get wins. That’s all it was tonight. I wanted to be in attack mode. I got it going and stayed aggressive.”
6 Things Leaders Must Do When Things Are Hanging In The Balance
From Lillard’s comments and performance we learn 6 things leaders must do when things are hanging in the balance:
- When Things Are Hanging In The Balance Leaders Must Have An Increased Sense Of Urgency – Lillard said, “It has to happen now. The urgency has to pick up. This is it.’’
- When Things Are Hanging In The Balance Leaders Must Be Consistent In Their Messaging – The above quote was taken prior to the game. But afterwards, Lillard stayed on message. He said, “We got 22, 23 games after this and we need to win as many as possible.”
- When Things Are Hanging In The Balance Leaders Must Properly Evaluate Reality – In addition to acknowledging the team had only 23 games remaining in their schedule, Lillard also acknowledged how short-handed the team was going into the contest.
- When Things Are Hanging In The Balance Leaders Need Help From Their Teammates – Rarely can a leader get out of a challenging situation through their own efforts. They need help, they need a team. As John Maxwell says, “You can accomplish more with we than me.”
- When Things Are Hanging In The Balance Leaders Cannot Be Passive – Leaders are not created when things hang in the balance, they are revealed. Lillard said, “But I feel like I got to do my best to be aggressive and just try to do what I can to make sure we get wins. That’s all it was tonight. I wanted to be in attack mode. I got it going and stayed aggressive.”
- When Things Are Hanging In The Balance Leaders Must Produce Significant Results – That is what is required to regain lost momentum and propel your team or organization forward. The leader must produce superior results. On the September 21, 2017 edition of The Herd With Colin Cowherd simulcast, Joel Klatt provided the best definition of greatness I have heard. He said, “Greatness is playing great when greatness is required… Being a great player is you are great when that is the minimal amount required to succeed.” For the Blazers to win the game and have a chance at the play-offs, greatness from its superstar player was the minimal amount required to succeed. And Lillard delivered with a historic effort.
Conclusion
If things hang in the balance in your organization, leaders must increase the urgency, be consistent in their messaging, evaluate reality, rely on their teammates, be aggressive, and then produce significant results. Do these six things and watch things move forward in a positive manner.
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