Applying Past Lessons to Present-Day Crisi
In memory of Marc S.
We’re the team and executive development partner for organizational impact.
In 2003, the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak hit Taiwan. The virus infected more than 300 people and caused 73 deaths. Although the effects of SARS are not in the same magnitude of the current global pandemic, it caused widespread fear, disrupting the normalcy in the country.
Sometime in March 2003, when the first cases appeared, the Taiwan Department of Health responded by setting up a system to contain the outbreak. A Task Force Committee deployed medical teams, activated a national quarantine system, and conducted rapid assessments in just three days.
The government managed to immediately secure a legislative procedure for obtaining data and information about SARS. Its health department systematically distributed protective gear, isolated infected citizens, and equipped hospitals with resources needed to maximize services. The government's quick response to the crisis eventually ended the outbreak.
Thirteen years after the SARS outbreak, Taiwan President Tsai Ing-Wen is leading her country in facing another pandemic, COVID-19. Using valuable lessons in government response, public health emergency management, and system activation, President Tsai is rising to the occasion with resolute decisiveness.
Currently, Taiwan is a model for government efficiency in handling the pandemic. Despite the proximity to China, the source of the pandemic, Taiwan has one of the lowest numbers of infections at 429, with only six deaths and 281 recoveries.
Analysts say that President Tsai Ing-Wen and her government acted decisively when the early signs of the Coronavirus appeared in Taiwan. The health department created the Central Epidemic Command as early as January. Her emergency teams imposed travel restrictions and implemented quarantine protocols that resulted in the minimum levels of infections.
By implementing a total of 124 control and containment measures, the country did not adopt a full lockdown. Part of Taiwan's success is due to having a template for pandemic management, taken from the government's SARS experience.
Its leaders were decisive, quick-thinking, and proactive, because they knew what to do. Ignorant and unprepared leaders cannot be decisive. They are immobile or running in circles, because they don't have the relevant data and experience. These problems are only exacerbated when we introduce narcissism and arrogant blindness into the mix.
In the case of President Tsai Ing-Wen, she has created an environment where everyone can contribute their best knowledge, expertise and experience to the solution. The consolidated efforts from the government, private sector, and the general public blossomed into a movement known as a "Team Taiwan."
Some leadership and crisis management lessons we can learn from the leaders and government of Taiwan:
Document failures and successes. Experience is one of the best teachers. Learn from your past failures and success. Make it a point to reframe failures as opportunities for learning and growth. You can apply essential lessons from the previous challenges and crisis to solve current ones. Use your past data and studies to evolve your systems in dealing with future problems.
Build dependable teams. The One-China Policy isolated Taiwan from international governing institutions such as the United Nations and the World Health Organization. The Taiwanese government did not allow restrictions from help to paralyze their ability to respond globally. Its leaders built strong internal teams to compensate for the lack of external support.
Take the high road. Although Taiwan is not recognized officially by global governing bodies, it is reaching out to help other countries. Their government is offering technical assistance and medical supplies to other governments who are failing in their efforts to manage the pandemic crisis.
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