In the weeks since the coronavirus pandemic has unfolded, leadership on the world stage has been in the spotlight. We’ve had both good and bad examples of it.
Good leadership can take many forms. But we know it when we see it, and we can feel it.
Good leadership makes us feel as though someone has our back and that no matter what we face, we have a defined, if not always clear path, through it. Good leaders aren’t avoidant, and they’re consistent and as reliable as an oak desk. Good leaders also aren’t always severe. Sometimes they’re soft with plenty of kindness and empathy for those who endure hardship during a crisis.
Of course, that’s just my two cents. Shelves are full of books on leadership, and Business schools offer plenty of management classes.
Often, though, the qualities we admire in effective leaders are the qualities that mindfulness fosters. The term “mindful leadership” gets bandied about a lot these days for good reason. The self-awareness that mindfulness and meditation develop gives leaders a wide range of psychological tools to draw upon during a crisis – everything from open-mindedness to cognitive flexibility to kindness.
On my Mind
| When things are bad, why not focus on the good or even the inspiring. In terms of leadership, there have been some standouts in the inspirational category. Here are a few of my picks. Also, watch the video below of the steadfast, but empathetic speech from German Chancellor Angela Merkel informing the German public of the necessary sacrifices they’ll need to make to contain COVID-19. Merkel, by the way, has been leading from home. She’s in quarantine after coming in contact with a doctor who tested positive for the coronavirus. Thus far, she has tested negative for the virus, according to news reports. 1) With only a few cases of COVID-19 reported in early March, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine moved swiftly to shut down large-scale events, schools, and sporting events. Some criticized him for doing so. But now he looks like a savant. 2) New York Governor Andrew Cuomo hasn’t sugar-coated his speeches to New Yorkers about the COVID-19 hardships. His tough talk has motivated others to rise to the occasion, including legions of doctors, nurses, cops and National Guard forces who are now at the epicenter of the pandemic in the U.S. Here’s a link to the transcript of his rousing speech to National Guard troops. https://abcnews.go.com/US/read-gov-cuomos-moving-speech-defeating-coronavirus/story?id=69839370 3) Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti also has made unpopular but prudent choices such as shutting down parks and beaches after Los Angelenos flocked to them flouting social distancing requirements. |