Leadership Now

By this point everyone knows what “now” means …COVID-19, Coronavirus, the Pandemic. Many articles have been written about the topic of leading through this crisis. I was poised to write one myself. Then a colleague sent me a segment from CBS Sunday Morning – a 4-Star general, the CEO of a health care system, and the president of a university sharing their thoughts about what leaders need to do “now.”

Their insights were inspiring and realistic. Here are few highlights:

Gen. Stanley McChrystal:
Be brutally honest with yourself about what the real situation is and what you’re trying to do. And be extraordinarily candid with your followers. It’s both a sign of respect and essential for long-term effectiveness.

Dr. Penny Wheeler, Allina Health:
Get information from every vantage point you can. Learn as much as you can from people who are closest to the work – they will guide your choices and decisions. There is genius out there that you need to listen to.

Father Joseph McShane, Fordham University:
Begin with self-knowledge, know what your priorities are, be wise enough to ask for advice and be humble enough to accept it. Ask yourself: How can I be more present with people in a moment that does not allow us to be physically present?

For the full interviews:
www.cbsnews.com/video/what-america-needs-from-its-leaders-during-a-crisis/