Wow-what a year this has been. For many leaders, adversity doesn’t begin to describe the challenges you’ve faced. And – we’ve been so inspired by the ways you have responded and risen to the occasion to overcome adversity.

If 2020 has left you reeling, we want to encourage you with hope.

Recently, I interviewed someone who knows adversity well. Jason Redman is a retired Navy Seal who was shot several times and severely wounded when he and his team found themselves in an ambush. Following that ambush and a business failure, Jason became a student of resiliency and how to overcome adversity.

Whether the pandemic slammed your business or you face some other monumental, unexpected setback, you have to find a way to move beyond anger, guilt, emptiness, or pain. It’s not only possible to overcome adversity, but it’s imperative. In the full interview, Jason shared a five-step REACT process that gives you the tools to accept your circumstance, choose action over inaction, and triumph over adversity.

REACT Method to Overcome Adversity

R: Recognize – that you’re in a crisis.

Name it. It’s too easy to keep pushing or live in denial of the crisis. Stop, and acknowledge reality so that you can deal with it.

E: Evaluate – your assets and position.

What tools do you have in your toolbox to help with this problem? And remember your team here – you don’t need all the answers. Bring your team together and ask the right questions to help them contribute answers.

A: Assess – your option and outcomes.

Pause. Take a beat. With the time you have, breathe and consider your options and the possible consequences of each. Don’t rush to action without this pause.

C: Choose – a direction and communicate it.

When you commit to a course of action and use that 5×5 communication to ensure your team knows the direction, you will boost morale and energy (yours and your team’s).

T: Take action – follow-through.

It’s time to act. Movement builds momentum. You decided with the best information you had available. Get moving!

You can listen to the full interview here:

Take Care

Redman’s REACT process doesn’t mean you should ignore your emotions.

Some of the challenges life gives us are incredibly difficult, and you need to allow your grief, frustration, anger, and sadness to do their work. Maybe at the moment, you use REACT to get through the immediate crisis, but be aware that you will need to take care of your whole self and process the emotions of those challenges.

Do what you need to take care of yourself.

Your Turn

We’d love to hear from you: when you’re faced with those unexpected crises, what is your best strategy to overcome adversity, restore your confidence, and build momentum?