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Leading through Adversity
- freermw
- Aug 26
- 10 min read
Updated: Sep 11
In life and business – one thing is for certain – there will be tough moments you have to deal with to move forward.
Some may be minor and resolved quickly, others might be far more challenging and disruptive.
Of course there are certain things you can do to prepare yourself, your team or your business for these challenging moments. You might do strategic planning which includes different situations which challenge the core of your business and then role-play the different scenarios and actions you could take. You might work with your team and practice some simple resilience techniques that help everyone bounce back when the going gets tough.
There are, however, challenges that can come out of the blue and are almost impossible to plan for. They can stun, shock or traumatise - making it very difficult to make any decisions or take corrective action. So what can you do to give yourself the best chance of coming through.
Over the past 4 months I’ve had to deal with a massively disruptive challenge, which hit me out of the blue. Back in May I suddenly got put on a cancer patient pathway, in June I got fully diagnosed with Pancreatic cancer, in July I had major complex Whipple surgery, and over the past 7 weeks I’ve been recovering. The good news is that my prognosis is good and I’m now clear. Of course it’s not as simple as that - I’m still physically recovering and will need to have regular check-ups - but I'm able to start re-engaging with what I love doing - training, coaching and upskilling leaders and teams.
Given everything I’ve gone through I wanted to share some powerful insights which are relevant to dealing with adversity, trauma or major challenges.
In the last edition of the Breakthrough Leadership series Edition 17 - Unshakeable Leadership I shared ten simple, yet powerful "positive psychology" techniques which can be used by anyone who is facing their own personal challenge.
In this latest Edition 18 - Leading through Adversity I share ten leadership disciplines and relate them to my challenge of dealing with pancreatic cancer and my current recovery journey. I shared these individually as Linked In posts several weeks ago, and because of all the positive feedback I wanted to bring them together again in this edition - so here they are:
Awareness - the wake up call I didn't see coming.
Acceptance - reality isn't the enemy.
Conscious Choice - agency lives here.
Trusting the process - faith in the fog.
Authenticity - there is not mask for this.
Fearlessness - walking through it anyway.
Confidence - borrowed at first, then built.
Connection - healing isn't solo work.
Presence in the Moment - this breath, this step.
100% Energetically engaged - redefining full power.
(1) AwarenesS - “The Wake-Up Call I Didn’t See Coming”
🤔 How aware are you of the lead indicators which help you diagnosis the state of your business or your career?
💯 Awareness is the first stage of any transformation - in business and life. It’s not just about noticing what’s around you, but what’s within you, too.
💯 Diagnosis brings a new lens to everything: urgency, clarity, appreciation.
💯 In business a proper diagnose allows you to fully understand your “as is” position - your people, your capabilities, your value, your customers, your market, your future!
😬 Nearly four months ago after having itchy skin for 2 weeks I went to my GP. Suddenly I was in hospital having checks and scans and 5 days later I left on a cancer patient pathway. One month later I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
💜 Pancreatic cancer is the deadliest common cancer because early diagnosis is extremely difficult. 8 in 10 people are currently diagnosed at a late stage. Hence the majority of current pancreatic research is focused on early diagnosis.
😅 I count myself extremely fortunate and grateful for getting an early diagnosis, and whilst I didn’t get much time to get my head round it, it meant I was able to get rapid treatment.
❓What are you not noticing that deserves your full attention right now❓
“The first step toward change is awareness. The second step is acceptance.”
(2)Acceptance – “Reality isn’t the Enemy”
🤔 What are you struggling to accept and still trying to control in your life?
💯 Acceptance is the second stage towards change.
💯 Acceptance doesn’t mean liking the situation. It means no longer fighting it.
💯 Leadership requires this same clarity: the courage to see things as they are, and still lead with hope.
😱 For me suddenly being put on a cancer patient pathway hit me hard - I was in shock and everything suddenly felt out of control. I cried lots and couldn’t help but think the worst.
😨 Over the following month there was still lots of uncertainty but I was able to start processing the potential implications and impact of my situation.
👌 When I finally got my official pancreatic cancer diagnosis there was a moment when any resistance I had gave way to clarity.
👀 This clarity and acceptance was actually a relief and suddenly the options going forward became much clearer for me.
❓What might open up for you if you chose to accept instead of control❓
“I don’t want other people to decide who I am. I want to decide that for myself.”
(3)Conscious Choice – “Agency Lives Here”
🤔 What choices are you not able to see and how is this limiting your decisions in life?
💯 Our greatest freedom is how we choose to respond.
💯 Even when the external world limits our options, our internal world still holds choice.
🧠💪 I didn’t choose to get pancreatic cancer. But I did choose how I showed up and am dealing with it - both physically and mentally in every moment.
🏥 My course of surgery and treatment was decided for me. Thankfully the Royal Free Hospital has world leading medical consultants and surgeons.
🧐 The choices I had were around how I prepared for surgery and then dealt with the recovery. It’s as much a mental as physical challenge. Staying positive and tuned into the recovery end game is what has got me through my tough moments so far.
💭 All I remember thinking during these tough moments was “I just need to get through this - it will pass - everything will be ok - it’s part of the journey to recovery”. Easier said than done when you are usually in pain or feeling sick.
💡 Before my surgery I also had the choice of what to do. I chose to continue working on a number of leadership and sales projects. These helped me maintain some level of normality and do things I’m passionate about and enjoy - positively impacting the performance of others.
💯 It may not always feel like it, but you always have a choice. How you show up and deal with your situation is definitely within your gift.
❓What are you choosing right now - with intention❓
“In every moment, we are making a choice - either to step forward into growth or back into safety.”
(4) Trusting the Process – “Faith in the Fog”
🤔 How do you let go and trust the process?
💯 As leaders, we want control.
⏳ But transformation - and recovery - demand patience.
🎯 Not blind faith, but an earned trust that the process will deliver.
Once I’d accepted my diagnosis and proposed treatment I got 100% behind it.
There was a clear plan for surgery and recovery.
The surgical team were experts in their field and knew exactly what to do.
I just let myself go and fully trusted the medical teams around me.
❓Where are you holding back because you can’t control the outcome❓
“Have patience. All things are difficult before they become easy.”
(5)Authenticity – “There’s No Mask for This”
🤔 How much of the “real” you shows up at work?
💯 Authentic leadership is about showing up with your whole self - no mask, no shield.
😳 Amazingly many managers and leaders feel they need to show up differently in their work and personal lives.
😬 This not only drains your own energy, but limits your ability to connect fully with your team.
💯 When you are lying in a hospital bed there is no place for pretence or wasting time and energy being someone you are not.
💯 You are stripped of any roles and routines - what remains is something very real - your authentic self stripped right back to its essence.
👏 During my days recovering on my ward this actually allowed a few fellow recovering patients to chat about their lives, open up about challenges and gain confidence to find a way forward.
❓Where are you still wearing a mask - and what would it take to remove it❓
“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.”
(6)Fearlessness – “Walking Through It Anyway”
🤔 Where is fear holding you back in your life?
💯 Fearlessness isn’t the absence of fear.
💯 Fearlessness is taking action in spite of fear.
💯 It’s a leader saying, “I’m afraid, but I’m moving forward anyway.”
😰 For me fear showed up, uninvited. It hit me like a thunderbolt out of the blue. Suddenly I was put on a cancer patient pathway. I was in shock. I cried lots. I feared the worst.
💪 But fear didn’t get the final say. I got my head round it. I understood the treatment. I looked for the positives. I knew it would be tough, but I was ready to fight it all the way.
❓What could you do today that fear is convincing you to postpone❓
“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.”
(7) Confidence – “Borrowed at First, Then Built”
🤔 Who could you lend belief to today and help build their confidence?
💯 Confidence isn’t innate.
💯 It’s constructed - one step, one win, one conversation at a time.
💯 Great leaders borrow belief until they can own it.
🏥 Before my surgery and during my recovery there have been moments when I’ve had to borrow belief, particularly during the low points.
⚡️ I’ve borrowed it from friends, family and colleagues - harnessing their positive vibes, thoughts and best wishes. Thank you to everyone who sent them. 🙏
🧠 At the same time I’ve dug deep within myself to find my inner strength and determination to give me the confidence to fight and recover.
🤫 I’ve still got some way to go, but I’m confident I’m on the right recovery pathway.
❓Who could you lend belief to today - until they believe for themselves❓
“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”
(8) Connection – “Healing Isn’t Solo Work”
🤔 Who can you connect with today - giving them strength to keep going?
💯 Leadership isn’t a lone endeavour.
💯 Leadership is relationships in motion.
💯 Connection multiplies resilience.
💯 Community holds us when we wobble.
My journey has been profoundly communal so far:
Calls and visits from friends have put a smile on my face.
Hugs and love from my family have boosted my energy and moral.
Messages from colleagues have shown care and compassion.
Treatment from my doctors and nurses has been out of this world - truly exceptional!
🙏 It reminds me that I am not alone, in fact I’m extraordinarily lucky to have so many people cheering me on.
❓Who might need your connection today before they ask for it❓
“Ubuntu: I am because we are.”
(9) Presence in the Moment – “This Breath, This Step”
🤔 What might you change today if you avoided getting distracted and focused on the “now”?
💯 Leadership is presence.
💯 Not racing to the future.
💯 Not stuck in the past.
💯 This moment is where life and leadership happen.
🧠 I’ve learned recovery happens one breath and one step at a time.
📈 You deal with each moment as it happens - each “up” and each “down” - knowing it’s part of the necessary recovery journey. There is no point getting ahead of yourself, as it only knocks you back.
😬 All too often we get distracted by what has happened in the past or what is coming in the future. This drains our energy, stops us being at our best and distracts us from the important things in our life.
🎯 There is only ever “now”, so why not show up at your best and embrace it, no matter how tough it is.
❓ What might change today, if you gave your full attention to the “now”❓
“The present moment is filled with joy and happiness. If you are attentive, you will see it.”
(10) 100% Energetically Engaged –“Redefining Full Power”
🤔 How often do you show up at your energetic best? No distractions, fully aligned, fully powered!
💯 Energy isn’t always loud or big.
💯 Energy is about your alignment.
💯 It’s choosing to show up fully - at your energetic best - for what matters.
🎯 It’s no coincidence that your levels of performance and engagement are significantly higher when you are 100% energetically engaged.
🩹 During my recovery immediately after surgery there were some days when all I could do was lie there and barely sit up. But when I did this, I was all in. 100% energetically engaged in that moment, focused on nothing else but recovering.
💤 Similarly, during the first 6 weeks of my recovery I would regularly take a Siesta to allow my body time to rest and recover during the day - I’m 100% energetically engaged in letting my body repair itself.
🎯 You can actually “profile” how you show up at your “energetic best” or at your worst under your “stress reaction”. It’s a scientifically validated energy leadership index assessment. If you’d like to know more drop me a message.
❓What would it mean for you to give your whole self - intentionally today❓
“When you do something with your whole being, you achieve the extraordinary.”🙏 Thank you for reading this edition of Breakthrough Leadership. These ten leadership disciplines can be applied to any part of your life. I’ve related them to my current very real challenge of dealing with and recovering from pancreatic cancer, which I hope has helped bring them to life and demonstrate what is possible.
💯 If you want to discuss any of these leadership disciplines or explore better ways to develop your team please get into touch:
email: mark@headsupandfreer.com
mobile: +44 7843 510858
website: www.headsupandfreer.com
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