Learning, adapting and collaboratively battling the unforeseen on-the-go. This is the biggest leadership lesson drawn from the Coronavirus pandemic. Online education spurt, remote working, e-commerce is the ‘new reality’—in a time where human contact could mean illness or even death. In this scenario, brave leadership has acquired a new meaning. It’s much more than being reactive or adapting to new technologies for the business-of-life to continue. It’s about every person being a responsible leader in their own right- for their family, friends and co-workers. Brave Leadership today means unshackling the chains of negativity and taking the first steps a new reality. Acknowledging and accepting the new normal and not lamenting over a tragedy but rising above and displaying the mettle of human spirit. It’s about valuing the humane and infecting people with positivity and a sense of responsibility. It is the display of bravery in a cloud of vulnerability.
We are living in fear. This fear is overpowering us. The constant urge to share the latest statistics, news (fake or real), magic cure is making us spread several facts that are often pieces of fickle fiction created by those who are not realising the damage caused. We are playing into these hands and allowing fear to spread. Bring a stop to it. Stop discussing it with all your loved ones. Stop watching TV channels continuously, Stop being the first one to know and spread everything. Do not allow fear to dictate your action. Fear can only win, if we let it.
Who are the Brave Leaders? These leaders care about their people, are gutsy to envision and execute novel idea in a world ravaged by competition for limited resources and the sustainability pressure. These new age ‘mavericks’ are open to ridicule, failure, unseen challenges and are backed with a team of believers who are adaptive, innovative, talented, materialistic, pragmatic but also empathy driven. The recent response of top corporate leaders of India---from providing relief measures to corona patients to feeding the needy—bear testimony to a significant fact. They have shown humanity is transitioning from the age of ‘I’ over ‘We.’Today brave leaders are no longer inaccessible doors, but reflect collaborative mindsets who with their flaws, are human. They are the silent warriors and not the megaphone carriers. Last week as India grappled with Coronavirus’ march across the states, it was not difficult for institutes like Pearl Academy and University of Petroleum and Energy Sciences (UPES) Dehradun to switchover to virtual learning, as they have done this years ago. But this has also been a learning-of-sorts for everyone:Like everyone else across the world, for us also it has underscored the need to be more humane and empathetic, even if its virtual.
Human beings are social entities. With the imposed isolation feelings of dread, anxiety, depression, negativity, loneliness manifesting, swiftly. The question is how much of television, creative activities and books can one read in this time? With the harsh reality unfolding around us, leadership must step up and bolster the morale of everyone including employees, working class, students, faculty, business segments, future changemakers and leaders.
Today, virtual dance parties, fitness classes, stand-up comedy acts, hilarious memes, jokes, amateur family videos etc are manifesting to ensure well-being of humans in a digitally trapped world. These novel ideas have erupted from the minds of people who value people and emotions. These are brave leaders, in themselves
Where there is a mood of despondence around the brave leaders make a change and do for others to follow . Some actions that become important:
. Communicate from the front. Let everyone one that you are there, and they are not alone
. Empathy is important. Let your humane side show
. Break routine workday for live interaction where everyone voices their fears and anxieties.
. Be directive. Crisis needs a leader who can give a clear direction and purpose
. Be there and show the light at the end of the tunnel. The darkness of the tunnel needs to be blinded by the rage of the light
The world around us is beautiful. The smell of roses, the breath of sunshine, the smile of your beloved and the music of your own thoughts are still around you. Open your heart to them with hope and positivity. Let romance, mirth, love triumph over negativity, that is your power. Every morning when you get up make one-person smile – by a joke or a hug (maybe virtual at this time) or perhaps with a look that says ‘My world is beautiful because you are in it. Be grateful and positive and be brave !
(Sharad Mehra is CEO, Asia Pacific, Global University Systems (GUS)