Many years ago, a seminar participant shared with me the following quote by Douglas McArthur:
“A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the equality of his actions and the integrity of his intent.”
As we move through this new month and focus more and more on the rest of 2021, it is time for us to have the courage to make tough decisions. These later stages of the global pandemic are not easy. Adaptive challenges still abound. We are still encountering surprises and difficulties. But, if we choose to be a leader who acts with the utmost of integrity, we must remember that compassion, courage and confidence are not negotiable.
Right now, we know that our organization and the teams within them are battle weary. They have fought hard against the unknown unknowns that COVID has continued to throw our way. They have stood up strong for each other and for those we serve. Even in our darkest hours, many teams have stayed focused and delivered in spite of unbelievable complexities.
But now with the reality that this could be the beginning of the end for this global pandemic, we must honor and support our teams because they are tired, worn and in need of some kindness and compassion. We know the future will be a mix of more digital teamwork and more analog teamwork. We also know that the importance of teamwork is not going to go away during the recovery period post the pandemic. In reality, it will be even more important. Therefore, we must support our teams by doing something important, namely help them have more courage to keep moving forward.
“The best way to develop courage”, writes the late Stephen Covey, “is to set a goal and achieve it, make a promise and keep it. No matter how small the goal or promise, this one act will begin to build our confidence that we can act with integrity in the moment of choice. As we begin to make and keep promises to ourselves and others, we take the first steps on a path that leads to confidence, growth, and peace.”
Along with setting goals and achieving them, we also must do one more thing as leaders, namely retain our best people. All across this country, companies are eager to hire good leaders with capacity and integrity. These companies recognize that more and more baby boomers will retire, and as a result there will be many open positions for experienced leaders. Therefore, they are actively recruiting talent and willing to pay top dollar when they find it. If we fail to recognize this reality, then we will loose our best people to other organizations who know the value of good leadership.
However, we do have the ability this winter to rehire our best people. We can and we must sit down with them and explain why continuing to work for our company is the best choice given the challenges before the industry and the market place. When we prepare for this level of work and act accordingly with integrity, we are on the right path to better outcomes for all involved.
As we continue to prepare for a post pandemic world, courage, compassion and confidence will make a big difference. Acting with integrity and equality are a powerful combination, too.
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