10 Leadership Virtues for Disruptive Times
Coaching Your Team Through Immense Change and Challenge
Book Edition Details
Summary
Change is the only constant, and Tom Ziglar knows how to turn that truth into your leadership advantage. In "10 Leadership Virtues for Disruptive Times," Ziglar, the helm of Zig Ziglar Corp, charts a path through the chaos of modern leadership challenges. This is not your run-of-the-mill management guide; it’s a clarion call to embrace a coach-like approach, cultivating a culture where kindness, humility, and respect become the bedrock of your team's resilience. Ziglar unveils a treasure trove of insights, blending cutting-edge research with seasoned wisdom, to bridge the empathy gap and unlock the full potential of your team. Whether you’re navigating the storm of change or laying a foundation for the future, this book offers the tools to foster an environment where dreams flourish and innovation thrives. Ready to lead with vision and virtue? Ziglar shows you how to inspire greatness and ensure success in even the most turbulent times.
Introduction
In a world where everything can change overnight, where teams work from scattered locations, and where the only constant is uncertainty itself, leaders find themselves navigating uncharted waters. The familiar playbooks of yesterday no longer guarantee tomorrow's success. Whether it's a global pandemic reshaping how we work, technological advances disrupting entire industries, or economic shifts forcing rapid pivots, today's leaders must guide their teams through storms they never saw coming. The question isn't whether disruption will arrive at your doorstep—it's whether you'll be ready to lead with grace, wisdom, and unwavering character when it does. The leaders who not only survive but thrive in these turbulent times aren't necessarily the smartest or most experienced; they're the ones who understand that true leadership flows from the heart, expressed through timeless virtues that create unshakeable foundations for both personal growth and team success.
Character Qualities of a Coach Leader
At the heart of transformational leadership lies a fundamental shift from managing tasks to coaching people. The Coach Leader understands that their primary role isn't to have all the answers, but to ask the right questions that unlock the potential within each team member. This approach becomes even more critical in our increasingly remote and hybrid work environments, where traditional management tactics fall short. Consider the story of Mahongo Fumbelo, who traveled from Darwin, Australia, to attend a leadership certification program. During the graduation ceremony, this accomplished professional broke down in tears as she shared how her former boss had publicly humiliated her, declaring she would "never be a trainer" because she lacked the personality and skills. Instead of reacting with anger or resignation, Mahongo demonstrated remarkable self-control. She chose to believe in her own potential rather than accept someone else's limiting assessment of her abilities. That moment of restraint and self-belief transformed her trajectory completely. Rather than allowing bitterness to consume her, she channeled her energy into growth and development. Today, Mahongo runs a successful speaking, training, and coaching business and has been recognized as one of Australia's top speakers. The very company that once dismissed her later called her back, asking her to deliver training for their clients and leadership team. The Coach Leader embodies four essential character qualities that Mahongo demonstrated in her darkest moment. First is kindness—responding to hostility with grace rather than retaliation. Second is selflessness—focusing on serving others and fulfilling your purpose rather than seeking revenge. Third is respect—honoring your own worth and potential despite others' negative opinions. Fourth is humility—recognizing that growth comes from learning, not from proving others wrong. To develop these qualities, begin by examining your own responses to challenging situations. When someone questions your abilities or treats you unfairly, pause before reacting. Ask yourself what a secure, confident person would do in this situation. Practice daily gratitude for the people on your team, focusing on their strengths rather than their shortcomings. Create opportunities to serve others without expecting anything in return, and remain curious about different perspectives rather than insisting on being right.
Preparing Your Team for Change
Change is the ultimate test of leadership character, revealing whether a leader operates from ego or from genuine care for their people. The most effective leaders don't just prepare themselves for disruption—they proactively equip their teams with the mental, emotional, and practical tools needed to navigate uncertainty with confidence and resilience. The power of preparation was beautifully illustrated in the story of Chris Patterson, a manager at The Q Athletic Club, who unknowingly gave a facility tour to his personal hero, Zig Ziglar. When Chris realized who his prospect was, his nervousness could have derailed the entire interaction. Instead, his preparation and genuine enthusiasm for helping others created an authentic connection that led not only to a sale but to an ongoing mentoring relationship. The breakthrough came when Chris made a bold request: he offered to be Zig's personal trainer in exchange for mental coaching during their workout sessions. This creative approach demonstrated how preparation meets opportunity when you focus on serving others rather than just achieving your own goals. Their subsequent workout session revealed even more about the power of mindset. When the exercise weight was too heavy, Zig refused to quit, pushing through to complete thirteen repetitions instead of the planned ten, later explaining that "you don't have to like everything you do" to accomplish your purpose. Preparing your team for change requires three strategic approaches. First, cultivate a positive, solution-focused mindset by helping team members connect their daily work to their personal goals and dreams. When people understand how their professional growth serves their life aspirations, they become internally motivated to push through challenges. Second, build self-control and emotional resilience by teaching team members to pause and respond rather than react to stressful situations. Role-play difficult scenarios and discuss healthy ways to handle criticism, setbacks, and unexpected changes. Third, foster an atmosphere of looking for the best in every situation and person. Train your team to see disruption as opportunity, problems as puzzles to solve, and setbacks as setups for comebacks. Practice gratitude regularly as a team, celebrate small wins, and consistently highlight examples of growth and improvement. Remember that preparation isn't a one-time event but an ongoing process of building mental and emotional muscle that will serve your team when the storms inevitably arrive.
Taking Action When Disruption Strikes
When crisis hits, teams instinctively look to their leader for direction, stability, and hope. The leaders who rise to these moments don't freeze in analysis paralysis or pretend everything is fine—they become beacons of light, demonstrating unwavering commitment to their people and mission while taking decisive action toward solutions. True leadership courage was exemplified by Michael Norton's CEO, David Mattson, during one of the most challenging periods imaginable. When Michael's wife was diagnosed with stage-four pancreatic cancer, he felt he had no choice but to resign to become a full-time caregiver. Instead of accepting the resignation, David refused to let Michael go. He restructured Michael's responsibilities, maintained his full salary, and even flew to Europe on short notice to deliver a keynote presentation when Michael couldn't travel due to his wife's condition. This wasn't just compassion—it was strategic leadership. David understood that taking care of his people during their darkest hours created loyalty and trust that would benefit the organization for years to come. He didn't view Michael's family crisis as a business problem to be managed, but as an opportunity to demonstrate the company's values in action. The investment in Michael's well-being during that difficult season paid dividends in commitment, performance, and cultural transformation throughout the organization. When disruption strikes your team, immediately implement the three pillars of crisis leadership. First, be the light by providing clear, honest communication about the situation while maintaining unwavering optimism about your team's ability to overcome challenges. Acknowledge the difficulty without dwelling on it, and consistently shine the spotlight on solutions, opportunities, and next steps. Second, never give up on your people or your mission, even when circumstances seem impossible. Break large challenges into smaller, manageable actions, celebrate incremental progress, and maintain the rhythm of growth and development even during crisis periods. Third, stand firm in your values and commitments while remaining flexible in your methods. Your character and integrity become the foundation that everything else is built upon during uncertain times. Create daily touchpoints with team members, provide additional support where needed, and demonstrate through your actions that you're committed to emerging from the crisis stronger than when you entered it. Remember that how you lead during the storm determines whether your team will follow you into the sunshine.
Summary
The journey of exceptional leadership isn't about having all the answers or never facing difficulties—it's about developing the character virtues that allow you to serve others with authenticity and courage, especially when the stakes are highest. As Zig Ziglar wisely observed, "You can have everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want." This profound truth becomes your north star during turbulent times, reminding you that leadership success is measured not by personal achievement but by the growth, resilience, and success of those you're privileged to lead. The ten virtues of kindness, selflessness, respect, humility, self-control, positivity, looking for the best, being the light, never giving up, and standing firm aren't just noble ideals—they're practical tools that transform ordinary managers into extraordinary Coach Leaders who create lasting positive change in every life they touch. Starting today, choose one person on your team and commit to having a genuine conversation about their dreams and goals, then identify one specific way you can help them move closer to achieving those aspirations, because when you invest in their success, you're building the foundation for unprecedented team performance and personal fulfillment that will sustain you through any storm.
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By Tom Ziglar
