One Thing You Must Do to Survive (and Thrive) When You're Really Stuck

Last week I told you about how Angela, a news anchorwoman in Hong Kong, faced a no-win situation.

Her boss wanted her to charge companies hefty ad fees for featuring the companies on her TV show. That appeared to be a highly unethical move for a top journalist such as Angela. Should she draw the line (and risk killing her meteoric career) or should she kow tow to the boss (and kill her credibility)?

Amazingly enough, Angela did neither. She proposed that companies featured on her current show would be asked to provide sponsorship for the next company that would appear next. She came out with a win-win-win solution.

Her boss was pleased with the additional revenues; Angela was given a free hand to uphold journalistic integrity; and the companies were motivated to ensure their hefty sponsorship dollars were spent on deserving companies -- which created a virtuous spiral.

Brilliant, huh?

Leadership gurus such as Roger Martin, author of the Opposable Mind, offer decision-making tools to help us raise our thinking to a higher level. Roger's power tip: "Whenever you face a decision between two options, don't think that your job is to choose; think that your job is to create a better option."

But here's the thing. Angela didn't know about Roger Martin's work. She didn't turn to McKinsey or BCG either.

And Angela insists that she didn't use her wits. In fact, she was at wits' end. She had really wanted to quit.

So what did Angela do -- when pushed to sheer desperation, and forced to make an important decision?

She prayed. That is the singular and most important thing she did throughout her crisis, as Angela tells me. She is completely unapologetic about it.

Most people I know divorce religion from work. But in my research on extraordinary leaders in Malaysia, I've discovered that most extraordinary leaders possess a deep faith in God -- and they bring their faith to work. Here are three examples:

a) Idris Jala, who successfully turned around a failing airline, told McKinsey in an interview that one of his six leadership principles is a deep belief in divine intervention. Idris' principle, stated simply, says that we are not in control of life. Only God is in control. So we'd better pray!

b) Tan Sri Jemilah Mahmood, the founder of MERCY Malaysia, told me that prayer connects her with God and deepens her awareness of God's love. This awareness, that she is deeply held by God, has sustained her in her dangerous work of saving lives in Iraq, Iran, Sudan, Aceh and North Korea.

c) Phua Seng Tiong, a former Tokoh Guru and Pengetua Cemerlang, told me that he prays every time he talks to a student or a teacher. He attributes prayer and his relationship with God as the secret to his success in transforming bottom-ranked SMK Jinjang high school into an academic powerhouse.

So what did Angela pray about -- and what are some tips we can learn from her on how to seek divine intervention?

1. Pray for your people. In the midst of the crisis, Angela continued praying for her TV viewers, her staff, and even her boss. Angela had a deep trust that God loves and cares for His people.

2. Turn to the Sacred Texts for inspiration. Angela, who's a Christian, read her Bible an hour everyday before being plunged into the crazy vortex of work. Meditating on the Bible anchored her. Everyday, she's reminded that she's safe in God's care.

3. Ask God for help. Specifically, Angela asked for God's Spirit to raise her spirit to a higher level. Her prayer protected her from self-pity, misery and anger -- especially toward her abrasive boss. Instead of discouragement, she focused on courage.

4. Keep on going. Praying isn't passive. Angela persisted in using her wits to find solutions and persuade clients to give sponsorships and encourage her staff. She didn't do nothing because God was doing everything. Instead she saw herself as God's active coworker and partner.

Here's one of her prayers to Lord Jesus Christ which she shared with me: "Lord, thank you for letting me know that I am your child -- a child of God. I'm sorry that I complain and felt like giving in to pressure and wanting to quit. In my weakness you show me your strength. I dare not think of anything profound or lofty. I am like a weaned child in a mother's arms -- no panic and anxiety. Through these challenges, you have led me into close encounter with you."

Are you struck by how Angela, who dare not think of anything profound or lofty, ended up coming up with a brilliant business decision?

Do you believe prayer really makes a difference in how she leads her life and leads others?

One thing i know: I am simply amazed by how this highly successful news anchor -- who has thrived in Hong Kong's dog-eat-dog media world -- finds herself so utterly dependent on divine providence. Angela's a rare gem!