Crisis Leadership
Last week I wrote about the need to have a leadership kit. I hope that any in a leadership or those aspiring to leadership take note of the need to not just go with the flow, especially considering the state of the world today. When things are going according to plan, it's easy to be an administrator but that's not leadership.
When a crisis hits, you need to have a plan and you need to have your leadership skills refined and accessible. That means you need to know what skills you will need to use in which situation and to have practiced them when not under pressure. An organized leadership kit is a really good way to facilitate this. If you want more info on the keys to a leadership kit, you can read more here.
Beyond having a leadership kit, I want to share a few things I have seen that shows how true leaders lead during a crisis.
Examples of Leaders Putting People First
Leaders lead people, they don’t lead teams or organizations. But at times, leaders struggle to balance people with other priorities.
Just in the last couple of weeks, I have seen organizations all over the world ensuring that they can continue to pay hourly workers, which is the group least likely to be impacted by extended social or economic issues. Apple (apple.com) announced the closure of its stores worldwide but committed to pay the hourly workers. Local school districts have elected to use technology to educate for a couple of weeks but have committed to pay the hourly employees and to continue to provide lunches for students. Those are just a couple of examples of how those that have decision making power can take into account the needs of others and put people over profits and plans.
Two other organizations that I'm familiar with have also committed a significant investment to try and help in this situation. Zoom (zoom.us) is offering free online meeting services to schools k-12. These accounts for schools also remove the normal meeting minute limits. This is a great way to make it easier for a school to determine a way to continue to educate during this tough time.
The other company is our local internet service provider, CentraCom (centracom.com). Any family with a student in school, k-12 or college that currently doesn't have their internet service can get free service from now until May 31st. How great is that for a student that gets a device from school but may not have Internet at home? But they are also offering to bump the speed for current customers to accommodate the students being home. Again at no extra charge. This may not seem like a huge deal but if students are trying to do online learning (plus all the streaming), this is just another way to make things easier on families.
Examples of Leadership
I also want to share two examples of how I have seen leaders handle the current situation.
In a press conference yesterday announcing the dismissal of Utah schools for two weeks, there were some great leadership moments. At one point the Governor got up and pointed out that if we were expecting the government to have all the answers and solve every problem caused by the situation, that it was never going to happen. He said it that parents needed to be parents and the lieutenant governor also talked about how important it was for us to come together during times like this. There are several things I like about this interaction.
First, the Governor said what needed to be said, even though it may not be popular. Leaders are willing to have crucial conversations when needed. They are also willing to be unpopular when necessary.
The second thing this emphasizes is that we need more than just official or formal leaders to step up and lead. That means parents, influential individuals and everyone else. True leaders step up and do what needs to be done. We can't expect the government, or anyone else, to solve all of our problems. We all need to be willing to lead and be led instead of being complacent and feeling like we are entitled to an easy life.
The third thing that stood out to me is the call from the lieutenant governor for us to be united in helping each other make it through a very unusual time. I like to think that good people will always stand together and lift and help others. Sometimes you need a leader that stands up and reminds us of the good in each one of us and how when we are united, we can make it through anything. Sometimes, you need to be that leader.
Just one final example to wrap up. I remember an episode of Star Trek TNG where Picard and Dr. Crusher could hear each other's thoughts. Picard had to make a decision and Dr. Crusher realized that although he made the decision with apparent confidence and ease, that he really had no idea if it was the right decision or not. He emphasized that the leader needs to be confident and lead without hesitation or he will fail. My take on that is just a little different.
As a leader, I believe it is ok to be vulnerable and transparent. Vulnerable in this context means being willing to admit to mistakes and weaknesses and to ask for help. Even though those are great traits of leaders, I do think the leader must be optimistic and not act like the situation (or project or business or, or, or) is going to end in failure, even if it that may be the case. That by no means they can be false or hide truth and that’s where transparency comes in. What it does mean is that they don't let fear drive them or those they lead or let their own emotions drive them and their course of action. I believe that great leaders are optimistic even when things get very bleak and they are much more even-keeled, regardless of the situation.
The best examples I know are leaders in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (churchofjesuschrist.org). The senior leaders are responsible for guiding a world-wide church population. I don't think there has been a time in the churches history where they weren't concerned with or trying to help a group or groups of members deal with significant issues. As I have watched these men and women deal with major social, economic and moral issues over the last few decades, I am amazed at how they remain optimistic and focused. Even when dealing with major issues such as 9-11 or the current situation, they remain positive about our ability as a people to overcome lift each other up. Their consistency, dedication and focus as they lead is something that I aspire to.
Wrap Up
This is a very different time for the world. I hope that we will all think about how we can lead during this time. Regardless of our reach, let's be deliberate. Our families, friends, communities and potentially millions of others are looking to us. Let's choose to lift and bless others. Probably even more important, let's learn from this situation.
Let's identify what we can do different to prevent and/or prepare for future crisis. Let's make sure that the next time something major strikes our circle of influence that we are ready to lead. That we can be the rock or the bright spot that helps even just one other person make it through. We can do this. And if we all lead just a little better, imagine how much better prepared we will be in the future.