Queen Elizabeth offered words of support and encouragement to her country and the world on Sunday April 5th. In those four minutes, she called attention to the extreme challenge we face, the need for extreme action and a sense that we are united in our desire and efforts to endure. Just four minutes to send a powerful, vital and compassionate message. This was a message from a thoughtful, real leader.
An important trait of a real leader in times of crisis is equanimity—calmness of mind, composure, with a sense of confidence that we can make it through this challenge. A real leader must also communicate, communicate, communicate. I’m not referring to random, unorganized talking or speaking to hear your own voice. This is communication based on purpose and strategy. Helping others to understand what we know at this moment; what we are tracking; how we are responding and how we will evaluate what we are doing and modify as we learn.
A real leader inspires collaboration. No one knows it all and we are clearly learning as we move through this crisis. The real leader brings the experts together and does everything s/he can to facilitate their work. A real leader creates alliances across all segments of the organization, the community, the nation.
A real leader doesn’t blame others for this crisis. S/he focuses on what it will take to make it through this situation.
A four minute speech—that’s all that was needed to show compassion, confidence, community. To inspire people everywhere.
Think about how you communicate in this crisis. Think about how our leaders communicate with us. As I noted in a previous commentary, this is a time when we see who are the real leaders.