Happy Friday,

I’ve been doing a lot of reflecting lately, and I’d like to share something with all of you.  Yesterday I was talking to someone about all of the crazy stuff going on with the Coronavirus, work, and life right now.  It brought me back to things I learned from a leader I worked with about how leaders act in times of change and the impact that has. 

We were in the beginning of a reorganization and this leader told me something along the lines of, “I’ve been through this a few times and I’ve seen how this will play out.  Sooner or later all of this will die down and we will move forward.  After all of this has settled, people won’t necessarily remember all of the details around these events, but they will remember who STEPPED UP and who DISAPPEARED when they were needed most.  Watch.  Some leaders will shrink in times like this, and they won’t realize it now but they will be hurting the trust they’ve built with others over time.  Once things get back to normal, those relationships will be damaged and need repairing.  Other leaders will step up in times like this.  While these leaders won’t be able to say with certainty what will happen, they will be able to SHOW with certainty that they care for the people around them.  Their relationships will grow stronger because of these events and NOT in spite of them.”

He was right about all of this, and when he said “leader” he didn’t mean someone with official authority.  He meant someone who could guide and influence others.  I watched some people disappear, and it caused our relationship and my trust in them to weaken.  Other people stepped up, and now I’d run through walls for them.  Over time there have been more reorganizations, big changes, and other events, and his wisdom runs true every single time. 

Right now is another one of those times.  Sooner or later we will all get through what is going on.  When we do, people will look back and remember whether or not YOU disappeared or showed up when you were needed.  The challenge: Be the person who shows up.  Be the person who shows you care and have that person’s back.  Do this in a way that’s natural to you.  Maybe it’s hosting conference calls.  Maybe it’s giving speeches.  Maybe it’s sending texts with memes and videos to keep everyone going.  Whatever it is, be the bright spot for others right now.  They need it.

I got a lot of love for you folks.  Be awesome.  Stay healthy and safe. 

Have a jolly good day,

Andrew Embry