FINDING YOUR BRAVERY IN A CRISIS

There will always be moments when things go pear-shaped in life or work and running away is just not an option. When this happens, knowing how to stay calm and choose the right course of action is a very useful life skill. So how do you do it?

Who better to ask than women who have to do so on a frequent basis? International Women’s Day is all about celebrating female achievement, so to mark it we spoke to a whole bevy of UK-wide businesswomen, who are all included in the prestigious 2020 f:Entrepreneur #ialso 100. Here are their tips on how to cope in a crisis.

Annie Armitage, photographer, founder of www.anniearmitage.com
“When I have a crisis I sit down, make a plan and stop myself thinking the worst. I think of the best case scenarios and what good can come out of the situation”.

Karen Campbell, marketing expert, founder of karencampbellmarketing.com
“I trust my instincts and previous experiences, try to be methodical and remind myself how resilient I am”.

Natalie Guerin, business support, founder of www.pebble.uk.com
“I talk to my besties. They understand me and know what to say. Or sometimes they just listen and I solve it myself”.

Nicola Brown, homes and interiors, director of www.construct-design.com
“I button up and get on with it. And if I’m feeling spiritual I meditate on it”.

Laura Felicity, designer and interior stylist, founder of laurafelicity.co.uk
“After a massive cry and emotional breakdown – anger, anxiety, fear etc – I sit down and think about the pro’s and cons of the situation and then decide how to act – usually after a glass of wine”.

Lorraine Thomas, property expert, founder of View From My Window, viewfrommywindow.co.uk
“I pray. But also, if someone chucks a brick at me I don’t let it knock me over. I catch it and make that brick build me up like all the others I’ve caught”.

Susan Heaton-Wright, communication and impact coach, founder of Superstar Communicator
“The sole survivor of a car accident, I was left with devastating injuries. My long recovery through the pain and loss and subsequent career success have shown me how resilient I am. So when I face a challenge I take a deep breath, hold my head up high and look to the light – and go for it”.

Jaquelina Guardamagna, translator, founder of Translator In London, www.translatorinlondon.com
“I remember the Mark Twain quote: ‘Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do”. So whatever it is, I go for it instead of regretting not taking the risk”.

Rebecca Newenham, business support, founder of Get Ahead VA, www.getaheadva.com
“I have my go-to people I share things with. It’s about being honest and authentic and not being scared to ask for what I need. I’m quite fatalistic and certain things do happen for a reason. I keep my eye on the prize, as my mum always says”.

Ceri-Jane Hackling, PR, founder of cerubpr.co.uk
“I just think I don’t have a choice and crack on”.

Helen Routledge, games and virtual reality, founder of Totem Learning, www.totemlearning.com
“I think a lot, analyse the situation… I often think ‘What’s the outcome I’d like to achieve, and what’s the fallback position?’

Christine MacKay, animation and design, CEO of Salamandra.uk
“It’s instinctive. Maturity helps – having the experience to know I can do it”.

Rachel Barclay, professional makeup artist
“I tend to reflect back and look at the times I’ve felt the same fear, and also the euphoria I’ve felt when I’ve broken through it and thought ‘What was I so worried about?’ That gives me strength and power to get on with the task at hand”.

Camille Pearson, de-stressing expert, Managing Director of The Float Spa, www.thefloatspa.co.uk
“I don’t rush in to find a solution immediately. I stop, focus on myself and the answers will come”.

Jane Galloway, executive coach, founder of Quiet The Hive, quietthehive.com
“I go to my tribe – my friends and family. I seek safety and comfort and make a choice from a place of support and solidarity”.

Lynn Stanier, supporting disadvantaged children in Sri Lanka, founder of Their Future Today, www.theirfuturetoday.com
“I pause, look at the problem and then seek the possibilities through mental reflection”

Victoria McKay, co-founder of Women’s Jewellery Network, www.womensjewellerynetwork.com
“I tend to get on with it and then have that wobbly moment afterwards and think ‘Well THAT happened”.

Fiona Fitzgibbon, advertising and marketing specialist, founder of Diversiffi Media, www.diversiffi.co.uk
“I abide by my motto ‘It’s not as though anyone’s going to die if it goes wrong’”.

Hela Wozniak-Kaye, connector, co-founder of women’s business club Sister Snog, www.sistersnog.com
“Like that Dr Pepper ad, I think ‘What’s the worst that can happen?’. If you don’t go through the door you won’t know what’s behind it. Projection is the enemy – we think ‘If I do this thing, this will happen, he’ll be upset, she’ll say this’ – but we shouldn’t let these thought hold us back.”

Aarti Parmar, branding expert, founder of AP Brand Communications Ltd, aartiparmar.com
“I think about the outcome and the good it’s going to bring about if I can overcome the challenge”.

Nikki Spencer, disco queen, founder of Haven’t Stopped Dancing Yet, www.haventstoppeddancingyet.co.uk
“When making a difficult decision I always go back and re-read all the amazing things people have written or said about my brand. It gives me confidence to know I’ve made difficult decisions before and done OK. If I put myself in a positive place, I feel better about facing a challenge”.

Juls Abernethy, hypnotherapy and health, co-founder of The Body Retreat, www.thebodyretreat.co.uk
“I remember how far I’ve come. From the little girl in Northern Ireland who would never have expected to get this far… I do it for her”.

Vicki Bauman, yoga teacher, founder of Yoga With Vicki B, www.yogawithvickib.com
“I had a turning point after a potentially life-changing accident, which I decided wasn’t going to define me. So when bad things happen, I think ‘What’s the worst that can happen?’. And eight years since that accident I’ve just walked away from a steady salary to focus on my new business full-time”.