I conduct pulse checks on the influencers of my career to ensure they know I am still around on this earthly plane, just bangin away, one idea, one project, one prototype, at a time. I stay updated on these influential figures in my life by actively following what they have the courage to say on LinkedIn. One such influencer-turned-role model is Frank Olson. While I was a guest on his team, he significantly impacted my worldview on corporate structures and the way I lead people.
Frank and I crossed paths several years ago when I landed on his team in Global Training and Development at FedEx Express. At the time, I was charged with upgrading the Weight and Balance Program Learning Support Material Index for their entire fleet of aircraft (from narrow-body Boeing 757’s, to wide-body MD-10’s and MD-11’s, and Airbus assets, all of the fleet). I also had the opportunity to meet some great instructional designers and world-class corporate learning specialists, most of whom had proven their expertise in the field through awards and decorations reflecting a life devoted to empowering others. Frank reminded me of the “gem of leadership”- People. It’s People. Processes and Structure are great, but People make them a reality.
Recently, Frank posted this on LinkedIn in August 2025 (See Below), discussing leadership, which prompted me to reflect on my own experiences with leadership, as well as those I’ve read about, including those, such as Frank, who have dared to lead and share their insight.
That was not the full comment, by the way. That was a screenshot to trigger your curiosity. Well, I agree with Frank that “in leadership, anyone can steer the ship when the waters are calm. But it’s during the storm when the winds howl, the waves rise, and uncertainty looms that true leadership is revealed.” The insight from Frank, a seasoned HR leader, captures a truth every executive, manager, and team member needs to remember: leadership isn’t about titles or authority. It’s about presence, steadiness, and care, especially when conditions are at their worst.
Calm Seas Don’t Prove Leadership
In good times, when business is stable and markets are strong, leadership is often taken for granted. Plans are followed, numbers look good, and people generally stay in rhythm. But smooth waters don’t test resilience. They don’t reveal whether a leader has the capacity to guide people through fear, disruption, or crisis.
It’s when uncertainty hits, whether through a restructuring, a downturn, a sudden loss, or even a literal storm, that teams look not for perfection, but for reassurance and humanity.
What Leadership Looks Like in the Storm
Storm leadership doesn’t require a hero’s cape. Instead, it looks like:
- Being present: showing up consistently, even when answers aren’t clear.
- Listening deeply: giving space for people to voice their fears, frustrations, or confusions.
- Providing calm clarity: offering direction without pretending to control the uncontrollable.
- Caring first, fixing second: recognizing that people need to feel seen and supported before they can return to productive problem-solving.
When chaos strikes, your team isn’t scanning the horizon for a hero; they’re looking right beside them for someone who is steady, empathetic, and human.
Real-World Examples of Storm Leadership
1. Jacinda Ardern During COVID-19
As Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern earned global recognition not just for policy decisions during the pandemic, but for how she communicated with her people. Her frequent live updates, empathetic tone, and emphasis on unity (“Be kind to each other”) helped calm a fearful nation (BBC, 2020).
2. Winston Churchill During WWII
In Britain’s darkest hour, when Nazi Germany’s advance seemed unstoppable, Churchill’s speeches didn’t offer false hope or quick fixes. Instead, they blended honesty about the gravity of the moment with unshakable resolve. His words, “We shall fight on the beaches…” galvanized a nation to endure hardship and uncertainty with courage (National WWII Museum, 2020).
3. Colin Powell in the Gulf War
As Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during the Gulf War, General Colin Powell faced the immense challenge of leading U.S. forces into a complex and uncertain conflict. He was known for the Powell Doctrine, which emphasizes overwhelming force, clear objectives, and an exit strategy. This clarity in the fog of war gave troops confidence and the American people trust (U.S. Army, 2021).
4. Fred Smith and FedEx’s Fuel Crisis
FedEx founder Fred Smith famously faced a crisis in the early years of the company when rising fuel costs threatened to bankrupt it. At one point, with just a few thousand dollars left, Smith reportedly took the money to Las Vegas, won enough at the blackjack table to keep operations running, and secured time to raise more investment. More importantly, his relentless belief in FedEx’s vision carried the company and its employees through a near collapse (Investopedia, 2022).
5. Frank Olson on Leading People Through the Storm
Frank Olson, a senior HR leader at FedEx, reminds us that leadership is revealed not when waters are calm, but when storms hit. His reflection captures the essence of storm leadership: “When chaos strikes, your team isn’t looking for a hero. They’re looking for a human, someone who sees them, hears them, and takes care of them.” Olson’s insight reflects the lived reality of organizational leadership today. Empathy and presence are the real anchors in turbulent times.
The Legacy of Leadership in Crisis
The way leaders respond in hard times defines how they will be remembered. Teams rarely recall the quarterly numbers during a storm, but they always remember who stood with them, who communicated honestly, and who treated them with dignity when everything else felt shaky.
Leadership in the storm leaves a legacy. It can cement trust and loyalty that lasts long after the winds die down, or it can erode confidence that may never return.
Final Thought
Every leader faces storms. Some view them as threats; others see them as opportunities to demonstrate what true leadership truly means. The question isn’t whether the storm will come; it’s whether you’ll rise as the kind of leader your team can count on when it matters most. Connect with Frank on LinkedIn for more leadership insights. Frank, thanks for always being there.
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References
- BBC. (2020). Jacinda Ardern: The Leadership Behind New Zealand’s COVID-19 Success.
- National WWII Museum. (2020). “We Shall Fight on the Beaches”: Winston Churchill’s Famous Speech.
- U.S. Army. (2021). Colin Powell’s Legacy: The Powell Doctrine.
- Investopedia. (2022). Fred Smith: The Legend of Founding FedEx. Leadership HR human resource leadership