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On January 20th, Carrie Underwood took to the stage to perform “America the Beautiful” at the presidential inauguration. What happened next, showed the world what a real rockstar looks like.
A tech glitch left her without music.
Imagine having to do your job – in front of 24 million people – and your tools, your team, or your tech doesn’t work.
What would you do?
Some people would break down. They’d blame someone else. Make excuses for why they can’t “perform.” Some would go full “diva” refusing to perform and throwing their support team under the bus.
But not Underwood. She was a true rockstar. She smiled, invited the audience to join in, and sang a majestic acapella version of the song as the country watched on with glowing respect.
Underwood turned up what it means to be a consummate professional. Let’s take a closer look to see how she handled the experience with poise and professionalism, and how these lessons can help you can become a better leader.
Understand that Challenges Are Inevitable
No matter what industry you work in, no matter how good your team, there are forces beyond your control. You can plan everything to a T, but eventually, something is going to go wrong. It’s what you do in the face of these obstacles that define who you are as a leader and as an individual.
You need to shift your mindset. Challenges are to be expected. They are a normal part of doing business so you might as well see them as an opportunity to grow and adapt.
Take a deep breath. Too often, we react without taking time to think. Even if it’s just a momentary pause, give yourself space to assess the situation and determine the best course of action.
Focus on what you can control. Change your thoughts from “Why me?” to “What now” and identify the next action that will move you closer to your goal.
We saw (in a manner of seconds), Underwood understand that there was a problem, and troubleshoot how to handle the situation.
Be Confident (and Good at What You Do)
Underwood likely knew that even without music, she was going to be just fine. In order to feel that way, she had to have confidence in her ability to perform. Sure, sometimes you have to fake it to make it. However, true confidence comes from knowing that you’ve put in the hours, spent time and energy preparing, you know the material, your market, and your contingency plans. Basically… you’ve got this!
As a leader, your team will look to you for strength during times of uncertainty. When you show them you are confident you can weather the storm, they’ll feel as if they can to.
Years of training allowed Underwood to persevere in a situation where less-experienced performers may have crumbled. What do you need to do to reach that level of confidence in your business?
Be Professional
While no one wants to “expect” problems, just about everyone accepts that they will happen. Days, weeks, or even years later, people won’t remember the problem itself, they’ll remember how you responded to it. Professionalism is memorable. Maintaining professionalism under pressure builds trust, credibility, and enables your team and your customers to feel safe knowing that whatever happens, you’ll be able to handle it and turn it into a positive experience.
Underwood not only embraced and faced the challenge, she invited the audience to become a part of the solution. Instead of making the tech team the villain, she made every person in that audience the hero.
Conclusion
The next time you face a challenge in your business or your life, ask yourself, “How would Carrie Underwood handle this?”
Understand that challenges are inevitable, be confident, and be professional. When you do this, your team and your clients will know they are in good hands with you.
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