As we are all dealing with the impact of the global pandemic, we have observed the good, the bad and the ugly of this international crisis. The pandemic will give scholars, authors and historians the opportunity to debate, access and analyze this global cataclysm for years to come. Much will be talked about as it relates to COVID-19, the human toll it has inflicted, as well as, it’s impact on our economy and our daily lives. As a student of leadership, my focus is on the “how” leaders responded during this event and how they served those they were charged with leading.
This experience has given us a unique opportunity to observe leadership, in action, around the world, being exercised ether to the benefit or to the detriment of others. We have seen leadership displayed at all levels – in our communities, our schools, in the business sector, and in the public sector. We have watched leaders grapple with the challenges and circumstances of the pandemic using multiple approaches – some were successful and some not so successful.
During this time, we have seen a wide range of leadership outcomes. We have observed or been a part of leadership decisions that have revealed a range of effects from positive results to the worst possible conclusions. These results have spanned from competence to incompetence; outstanding to mediocre; and amazing to dismal. We got to see people step up to support their neighbors in their time of need by sacrificing their own benefits to help others. We have seen local heroes come together in an unprecedent fashion to serve their communities to solve new problems and to invoke change in positive ways. We got to see leaders stand up and tell the truth about what was happening and what would happen as the pandemic ravaged our daily lives. These were some of the good outcomes.
Conversely, we also got to see leaders that took advantage of others through misinformation, ineptitude and incompetence while painting pictures of the future that would be shown to be painfully inaccurate. That, unfortunately, is leadership going the wrong in the direction.
As a teacher of leadership concepts, I observed, in disbelief, how so many leaders would do the exact opposite of the principles that I teach. It was astonishing to watch individuals in leadership positions lie, bully, misconstrue information, and show no integrity or ethics while conducting their actions. And, probably the worst of all, was that they actually made decisions that directly harm the public.
“Organizations are decision factories. Organizations succeed or fail based on leaders’ decisions.” Daniel Kahneman
Leadership Matters:
Inspiring leadership is the single best factor in achieving extraordinary results.
We expect our leaders to have the intellectual capacity to decipher and navigate the unfathomable complex issues that we face in today’s world. Leaders must possess the imagination and the inspiration to forge a positive vision for an encouraging future. When leadership fails there is no vision – “Where there is no vision the people perish’ – Proverbs 29:18 (KJV)
When Leadership Fails:
· During a pandemic, people die and families suffer
· Our educational systems, our children lose and our future is dimmer
· Our legal systems, the horrors of injustice cripple our society
· Our political systems, democracy falters
· In business, employees suffer and progress is stalled
Leadership is about effective communication.
When leadership fails, communication is filled with misdirection and untruths.
Leadership is about integrity.
When leadership fails, lack of integrity diminishes trust
Leadership is about taking action.
When leadership fails there is inaction, or worse, adverse actions that do harm
Leadership, especially in a crisis, is ultimately about decision making and judgment.
Decision making is the culmination of bringing many pieces of information together that will initiate a certain action that will bring about a desired result. This includes weighing the risks and rewards.
Good judgment includes considering the consequences of one’s decisions, thinking before acting and speaking and having the tools to make good decisions in a variety of situations. Those tools include the infusion of ethics, morality, compassion and other human factors into the decision-making process that guide the outcome.
Understanding and instituting the tenants of leadership are important to lead successfully. Leaders today, more than ever, must develop and employ their strengths to provide leadership that doesn’t fail. Good leaders use their strengths to systematically cultivate their critical thinking processes. Leaders using their strengths are aware of where they excel and, conversely, their shortcomings.
When you Lead with your Strengths:
Your chances increase that you will arrive at the right decisions and that you will make better decisions with the help of others.
Your judgment will be enhanced by staying true to solid values and the collaborative work of highly efficient teams, working in their strengths, helping you to meet your goals. Good judgement implies that the result of a decision was a wise one.
People will be inspired when they see a leader working in their strengths. Many remember how MLK used is oratory strengths to communicate and inspire millions. Being a master of your strengths builds confidence and trust that makes people want to follow you. They will be more willing to take risk and work harder to achieve more. The most effective leaders are always investing in strengths.
“I’ve never met an effective leader who wasn’t aware of their talents and working to sharpen them.”
Wesley Clark
As leaders tackle making tough decisions, they have analyzed all of the available data, consulted experts, researched and weighed all of the possible options, they are left with relying on their judgement. This consist of the intrinsic, internal reasoning capabilities that the leader possesses. In order for leaders to have confidence in their decisions they assurance that their judgement is sound and based on a solid footing.
It is my belief that the most cogent foundation that leaders can possess is relying on their strengths. These are the attributes that make leaders successful. They are the qualities that bring about the best outcomes. If a leader is strong in thinking strategically, then strategy will be their guide. If a leader is highly adaptable, then they will be confident in finding new ways to adjust. If a leader is proficient in connecting with others, then decisions will most certainly include extensive collaboration.
Leaders are all very different in how they approach contrasting circumstances. Leaders’ decisions are grounded in their knowledge, talents and beliefs. A leader that clearly understands why they choose a specific approach will exercise reliable and effective judgement. Leaders that develop, understand and use their strengths will exemplify a quality of leadership that helps to ensure that leadership does NOT fail!
Larry Hammond, Sr. - V1H Consulting, LLC