Overcoming Setbacks and
Adversity
What do we mean by setbacks and
adversity?
• A setback is a single event or specific series
of events that impedes your forward
progress as an organization.
• Adversity, rather than a distinct occurrence,
is more likely to be an ongoing unfavorable
condition.
• Setbacks and adversity each make different
demands on a leader.
Why is it important to focus on
overcoming setbacks and adversity?
• To keep the organization moving forward.
• To avoid discouragement and despair.
• To keep staff/volunteer morale high.
• To maintain standing in the community.
• To add to your and the organization’s store of knowledge.
• To enhance your development as a person and as a leader.
• To maintain the organization’s faith in its leadership.
• To keep the focus on your mission, and continue to serve or
work for those at whom the effort is aimed.
When should you work to overcome
setbacks and adversity?
• In the case of a setback, action should
usually be immediate, and geared specifically
to reversing the situation, whatever it is.
• In adversity, you have to move forward
steadily, both to get the organization through
difficulties and in order to overcome them.
How do you, as a leader, overcome
setbacks and adversity?
• Stay calm.
• Communicate.
• Take action.
• Emphasize moving the organization forward
• Accentuate the positive.
• As leader, share the hardships of the situation with
the rest of the organization.
• Use the situation to build solidarity within the
organization.
Continued…
• Don’t be too serious.
• Determine what went wrong, and use your analysis to fix
the problem, if it’s within your control, or to get around or
cope with it, if it’s not..
• Develop a strategic plan for coping with the situation.
• Involve everyone in the organization in planning your coping
strategy.
• Ask for help from outside the organization if you need
it...and sometimes even if you don’t.
• Point out the learning that came out of the situation.
• Keep the big picture always before you.
• Don’t let up.