Leaders look at a crisis as an opportunity to rise to the occasion.
When this is over, and it will be over, we want to look back at this moment and remember the many small acts of kindness done by us and to us.
We want to look back this time and remember how we thought first of others and acted with decency.
We want to look back on this time and remember how, in the face of a generation-defining moment, we undertook a collective national effort – and we stood together.
It’s on all of us.
Rishi Sunak, Chancellor of the Exchequer, March 20th, 2020 (full speech)
At the daily press briefing around 5pm on Friday March 20th, after the Prime Minister spoke, it was the turn of Rishi Sunak, Chancellor of the Exchequer. His speech unveiled an utterly massive stimulus and safeguard for people’s earnings, like nothing ever seen outside wartime in any country, ever. Beyond the content, though, this was a massively impressive statesman. Like many watching, I immediately felt that this was not only the type of leadership we needed, but also that this was a Prime Minister in waiting.
The quote above was the closing of his speech. I feel already that it will go down as one of the great leadership quotes, as with the quote pictured from one of the great crisis leaders, Lincoln.
At times of great crisis, some rise to the occasion and can be relied up to lead. Rishi Sunak, an almost complete unknown only a few weeks ago in his new role, has risen to this occasion of occasions.
Commanding…when things are going well is a pleasure … but rarely remembered. Commanding during a crisis is an opportunity of a lifetime …to rise to the occasion
General David Goldfein, Chief of Staff of the US Air Force, March 19, 2020
Now, for me, as I saw this crisis emerging, I shifted everything to be here to support leaders around the world to rise to this occasion for themselves and those they lead.
I continue to do so. My calendar is open. Book your zoom meeting with me, I am here to support you as a Sounding Board for your own Crisis Leadership at all levels.
As Rishi Sunak said, we will stand together, it is on all of us.
Let’s talk
Book your 30-minute meeting here.