Feb 24th, 2021: The Mess while Traveling
It is amazing what a mess the Government of Canada has created by being unclear and unprepared to explain their new travel regulations. Sometimes it is hard to understand the incompetence of our government. I am good with these travel protocols as long as everyone is clear. Even government workers are not confident in what they are telling people on the phone. Things are more complicated than they need to be. Maybe that is how our government is going about creating jobs.
Here is what missing about leading during this crisis.
A) Have clear information. Leaders cannot make good decisions without credible data. That is what we have seen with the travel restrictions in Canada. People have suffered enough stress. Good leaders should be able to alleviate some of that stress, not add to it.
B) Communicate clearly and appropriately. The last thing people want to do is to phone a government office and wait these days. What happens to online services? We also need to train workers who are supposed to provide information thoroughly. There should be one clear answer to any question.
C) Explain the decision clearly. We cannot leave too much room for interpretation. Our Prime Minister should talk less and allow his officials to do the communication. They will do a better job because there is less drama in the explanation.
D) Be available for people who have questions. The idea of having to wait on the phone for hours when trying to make a decision and being away from Canada is frustrating to many people.
We can apply some of these principles when we provide leadership in churches, community organizations, and families during this Covid 19.
"Where there is no guidance the people fall, But in the abundance of counselors there is victory."
Proverbs 11:14
