April 27th, 2020: Grace and Stability in Leadership

 How Coronavirus wreaking havoc on people's mental health - The ...

I have been extremely impressed by the following physicians who are in charge of Provincial Health of both Alberta and BC Provinces in Canada: Dr. Deena Hinshaw and Dr. Bonnie Henry. They are both calm, compassionate, firm, clear, and capable. It is more comforting to listen to these doctors than anyone else in the news these days. Dr. Hinshaw is always very clear about the answers she doesn't have. They don't wander outside their areas of expertise. They don't seek attention to themselves. They simply provide the necessary information and process to care for the people of their provinces. For the stress they are under, they still can be seen as women of grace and stability.

Leadership is what we need when our nations are going through this time. What kind of leadership? Another person who has come to my mind is the PM of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern, who has been always kind, honest and no-nonsense when she has a public address about this pandemic. So here are a few thoughts about what we need from our leaders.

Decisiveness: leaders need to make the right decisions in good time. It is not the time to solicit votes. It is time to consider the well being of the whole and make a decision. Decisiveness gives us peace because we have an idea about how to prepare personally.

Clarity: nothing can be more disconcerting than the lack of cohesiveness. Leaders who send out random and unthoughtful messages will bring more harm to the people they lead during this time. Clarity is the strength of these doctors. We don't have to guess what they are saying.

Humility: we can sense the genuineness of these two doctors when they speak. Their humility elevates them in the eyes of those who watch and listen to them. There is no sign of pomposity. They are careful with their words and genuine in their emotion toward those who suffer.

(Deuteronomy 31:6): "Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you."

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