Leading Under Extreme Pressure and Adversity: Lessons from the 59th Selma Jubilee

Leading Under Extreme Pressure and Adversity: Lessons from the 59th Selma Jubilee

Recently, I had the immense honor and privilege of coordinating the 59th Selma Jubilee. Every March, thousands gather at the Edmund Pettus Bridge to honor those who bravely stood for civil rights on “Bloody Sunday.” This pilgrimage to Selma is a solemn, living tribute where Americans of all races and creeds learn from surviving freedom fighters, walk the paths of history makers, and join a diverse community in a reverent festival of music, art, and historical remembrance.

Coordinating such a significant event required diligent leadership and the ability to manage immense pressure. My role involved orchestrating efforts from the national level down to the local level, coordinating with the Office of Vice President Kamala Harris, the Governor’s Office of Alabama, the Mayor of Selma, and the Jubilee Committee. Additionally, the presence of celebrities, members of Congress, cabinet members, and thousands of attendees added layers of complexity and expectation.

The responsibility for this special project fell to me due to my political background. As the executive in charge, I navigated new team dynamics, leading a group of planners who were not accustomed to reporting to me daily. The stakes were incredibly high, and the diverse array of stakeholders demanded precise coordination and clear communication.

Leading up to the event, I took on the challenge of uniting key stakeholders, including nonprofit leaders, elected officials, law enforcement, Secret Service, White House personnel, media personalities, and other high-profile individuals. This involved aligning creative and logistical visions through a series of eight events leading up to the march. My focus was on ensuring that each stakeholder's vision was integrated seamlessly into the overall plan, while also preserving the historical integrity of the event and setting the stage for future commemorations.

The experience of leading the 59th Selma Jubilee was a profound learning journey. It tested my leadership skills and offered invaluable lessons in stakeholder management, effective communication, and strategic planning. Here are some of the key lessons I learned from leading under such extreme pressure:

Key Lessons from Leading Under Extreme Pressure

1. Know Your Stakeholders

Understanding what success looks like for each stakeholder is crucial. Too often people know of their stakeholder, but do not do the diligence to truly know the stakeholders. I made it a point to have individual conversations with each major stakeholder to understand their unique perspectives and priorities. I wanted to learn: what does success look like for them? We often get to the end of an engagement and have different ideas of what a win looks like. This knowledge allows you to tailor your approach and meet their expectations effectively.

2. Employ a Wingman

The power of teamwork cannot be overstated. Different people respond better to different personalities, and I had the pleasure of working with our Director of Conferences, Experiences, and Events, Tie Cole. Our varied approaches allowed us to know who to deploy and when because we took the time to UNDERSTAND our stakeholders. Leveraging diversity within your team is essential for building strong, effective partnerships. Having a wingman who complements your strengths and mitigates your weaknesses is invaluable. The belief that leadership means doing everything alone is not leadership—it's vanity.

3. Be a Straight Shooter

Transparency is key. Stop saying what you think others want to hear. Clear, honest communication builds trust and sets realistic expectations. Dealing with clients and high profile people and entities, it is easy to become a yes man. This is where your leadership must shine. They are hiring you for your skills - you are the subject matter expert. Do not buckle under the pressure of the moment. This straightforwardness is especially important under pressure when time is of the essence.

4. Be Unapologetic but Reasonable

Stand firm in your decisions, but remain open to reasonable adjustments. Leadership often requires balancing firmness with flexibility. Knowing when to stand your ground and when to negotiate is essential. Negotiation isnt failure. Negotiation ensures that everyone gets some of what they want and need.?

5. Avoid Being Wishy-Washy

Let your yes be yes and your no be no. One of the greatest issues I observe in leaders today is the inability to stick by their decisions. To be clear, I am not referring to changing a decision based on new facts, but rather to changing decisions due to new pressures. Consistency in decision-making fosters trust and respect. Indecision can lead to confusion and erode confidence in your leadership.

6. Be Honest About Limitations

Recognize and communicate when success isn’t possible. This honesty allows for realistic planning and prevents last-minute crises. It’s better to acknowledge limitations upfront than to set yourself up for failure. My entire life my dad has said it to me like this: “Corey, under-promise and over-deliver.” Even if you know you can achieve something, a cautious approach saves embarrassment and headaches later.

7. Embrace the Possibility of Conflict

Let me pointed: don’t be afraid to piss people off—it’s part of leadership. If you are afraid of pissing people off, then allow someone else to lead. Not every decision will be popular, and conflict is sometimes inevitable. Embrace it as a sign of active engagement and passionate stakeholders. Effective leadership often involves navigating and resolving conflicts to achieve the greater good.

Leading the 59th Selma Jubilee was not just a test of my capabilities but a transformative journey that highlighted the profound impact of effective leadership through partnership. As you navigate your own leadership paths, embrace challenges and pressures as opportunities to learn and grow. Remember, true leadership shines brightest in adversity. Be courageous, remain steadfast in your integrity, and continuously seek out the valuable lessons each experience offers. By doing so, you will not only overcome obstacles but also inspire and lead others toward a common vision of success.