We are in the thick of a devastating start to the year. Our piece of paradise is dealing with destruction, loss and uncertainty. When communities suffer, those in charge must step up.   

What does good leadership look like when the pressure is truly on? In these first months of 2023 we’ve seen all kinds of examples, from the capable and credible to the careless and cringeworthy. 

Instinctively, you know what works. You know the leaders you trust and those who have let you down. It can be one throwaway comment, but usually it’s a pattern of behaviour or a series of actions which cement leaders as excellent or appalling.   

 What makes a good leader?

Trust and respect are everything when you’re a leader. You can’t build these or expect people to follow you unless you front up. And front up - fast. 

Effective communication is about showing you care and that on behalf of who you’re leading, you’ve got this. Trust needs to be built. We gain that through knowing that as our leader, you’re acting in our interests. You’re taking care of business and us.  We won’t feel reassured if you’re not transparent. 

A lot of it boils down to preparation. You must prepare for the hard questions and be prepared to answer them. 

So here’s what to do and what not to do in a crisis:

 Good leadership is when you:

• Most importantly, always front. You’re the boss.

• Speak as soon as you can, as simply as you can.

• Front up but admit you don’t have all the answers. 

• Have clear, practical and relevant messages. 

• Be calm and be genuine.

• Show you care. Empathy is vital.

• Take control but still be part of the team. 

• Listen. The higher up the ranks you are, the more you need to listen. 

• Know your audience. The media are the connection to your audience. They are not your enemy.

Bad Leadership is when you:

• Delay. Speculation undermines leadership. 

• Pre-record messages or videos.

• Blame or deflect.

• Indulge in name-calling, ie ‘media drongos’. 

• Write it (press release or email) rather than saying it. 

• Read your content. We won’t believe you. 

• Give the hard stuff to someone else to front.

• Shut down questions. There’s no transparency or accountability. 

• Wait a week before apologising. 

In our corporate leadership training programmes, UP For It and UP, we emphasise that great leadership is about being courageous, open and real. 

Effective leadership and impactful communication comes through self-awareness of your delivery, your presence and your content. You need to be brave enough to try new techniques and tools. It’s about being receptive and willing to learn while being humble and honest enough to admit that sometimes, you didn’t get it right. It’s all about being UP For It.