Dear LBC Alumni,

There is no playbook for the situation we are enduring. We are all doing our best to find innovative solutions; learn new technologies; be flexible; and model courage, vulnerability and empathy.

As a leader, we may feel the expectation to rise to the occasion, have all the answers, or make everyone feel comfortable. And, yes, we will do our best to think outside the box, find effective, alternative methods for doing business and learn new skills. However, what’s most important is to model good leadership behaviors, such as courageousness and vulnerability. While those two words may seem like an oxymoron at first thought, let’s take a moment to explore that. Below are Merriam-Webster’s definition for each word.

Courage: Mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty.

Vulnerable: Capable of being physically or emotionally wounded; open to attack or damage.

Generally speaking, society sees being vulnerable as a weakness. Actually, being vulnerable is courageous, according to Merriam-Webster. So, don’t be concerned about what you think other people expect of your leadership during these unparalleled times. Rather, say you don’t know when someone asks a question about what the future will bring, whether or not they will still have a job in three or four months or how this pandemic will change life as we know it.

What truly is expected of a leader during these times is to be authentic, honest, transparent, generous and empathic. Isn’t that how we should always operate, anyway?

To your health and well-being,