Leading in and through crisis:
Leadership was never meant to be a status symbol, a pinnacle to aspire to. It was meant to be a journey not for the weak of heart but the most vulnerable and sacred of heart. When I studied leadership as an MBA student what struck me the most about leaders of companies, organizations, non-profits, small to medium size business was their passion and calling to serve, to make a difference in the lives of others, to serve with integrity, putting public safety, putting community, social or societal needs not before the business but first and foremost.
Whatever happened to placing human health, education and economic sustainability before the proverbial bottom line? I concur we all need to thrive but at what cost? Cost during COVID goes beyond this bottom line and it speaks to the unquantifiable, the mysterious, the higher good and right action.
The more our voices, our presence and our rights are heard, protected and stood up for, the more we are stepping up as leaders. I am an outlier and one who challenges the status quo. That is what I believe leaders do. They do not lie down and die an easy death.
Leaders of business need to be innovative and stand up to the charge. Challenging, collaborating, pushing back against unethical and questionable government policies and recommended practices that I would beg to ask … where is the credible research to substantiate and back?
We need to take a stand and step into our values, our ethics. We need to be leaders with a voice and who consciously make choices to not just benefit ourselves but the greater of humanity.
Albert Einstein once said that “the world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing.” I will not look on and do nothing. We are all one and we are all connected. It is everyone’s responsibility as leaders to make the world a better place. We can make a change.