What will your COVID-19 leadership legacy be?
Julie George GAICD
Marketing, communications, and stakeholder engagement specialist | SA Telstra Business Woman finalist | Non-executive Director | Creator of Brandsphere?
The word lead, in the context of leadership, is a verb meaning to guide on a way especially by going in advance; to direct on a course or in a direction.
During the COVID-19 crisis, how will you guide and direct your team? And after the crisis is over, what sort of leadership legacy will you leave?
Like so many small business owners I spent last weekend putting together a Coronavirus Action Plan to present to my staff. It took a long time. I researched, I rewrote and I spent little time with my children that weekend as a result.
I had planned to present it to my team a few days later but with the situation evolving rapidly, a few days became the next day. Towards the end of the presentation, while explaining why I had made the decision to transition everyone to working from home, I cried.
It was unexpected and out of character. The stress of the preceding days, and the weight of the decisions I was needing to make, to protect not only my staff but their families and the wider community, broke me.
I’m telling you this because I believe true leaders cry. Not because they are weak, but because they are real.
I also believe true leaders make the tough decisions, even when it may be unpopular to do so.
True leaders communicate with their team, often, even if it means having difficult conversations.
True leaders adapt, even though it’s unfamiliar and scary.
And true leaders are resilient, even when faced with a crisis.
I’m calling on all leaders, the small and big business owners, managers, our school principals, our doctors, parents and our politicians, to think carefully about the decisions they make during the COVID-19 crisis.
The way you lead now will be your leadership legacy.
Be tough, but compassionate, communicate often, and adapt, and when things just get too damn hard, it’s Ok to cry.
Please share your positive stories in the comments below of leaders in our community who will leave an inspiring leadership legacy after all of this is over.
Positive stories only please. If your leader isn’t being inspiring during this time, take them aside and kick their butt in person!
Assistant Director - Events and Awards, Fellow- Governor’s Leadership Foundation
4 年A great post and a wonderful display of leadership Julie. Wishing you and the team all the very best
Co-Founder and CEO B-HART: Professional Coach and Leadership Development Facilitator.
4 年Well said Julie. Good luck during these challenging times. Wishing you, your team and all your loved ones good health.
Chief Executive Officer at GREENHILL and GD | studia
4 年Like Brene Brown says- vulnerability takes courage, and you have that in spades Julie!
Consultant for mainstreets, city centres, BIDs, shopping centres and precincts, immediate Past Chair and Founding Member of Mainstreet SA, Life Member of Mainstreet Australia, Chair of the Adelaide Business Collective
4 年We must all support each other. So well written Julie.
Digital Marketing and Communications Manager
4 年You’re a brilliant and inspiring leader Julie, and I’m proud to work with you every day. Thanks for your honesty and strength in such an uncertain time.