Crises test leaders.  We all know this, and the new normal created by COVID-19 is proving that maxim every day.  The news is full of examples of leadership greatness and leadership failures.  Like many, I found myself getting sucked into the emotional swamp of the endless failures and disappointments. My wife, Laurie, encouraged me to find and celebrate the great leaders and leadership we have observed over the past few months.  She inspired me to consciously change my focus and create a list of the COVID ‘If–’ Sixteen leaders.  

An ‘If–’ Sixteen Refresher:

The concept of the ‘If–’ Sixteen comes from my book, If You Will Lead: Enduring Wisdom for 21st-Century Leaders(Agate B2, 2011). Based on Rudyard Kipling’s poem ‘If—’, the book identifies an essential leadership attribute associated with each of the poem’s sixteen couplets. Together, the ‘If–’ Sixteen define a path we may choose to follow to become better leaders. By incorporating the concept of “awareness and choice,” they form a comprehensive leadership structure that is timeless.

The original ‘If–’ Sixteen are some of history’s greatest leaders, including giants like George Washington, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Mother Theresa.  I picked the original ‘If–’ Sixteen leaders because they led in ways that exemplified these leadership attributes described in the poem:

• Character – The Wisdom to Know and Trust Yourself 
• Authenticity – The Resolve Always to Be Yourself 
• Integrity – The Wisdom to Know the Truth and the Strength to Defend It 
• Self-Efficacy – The Confidence to Gain from Triumph and Disaster 
• Ambition – The Will to Make the World What You Want It to Be 
• Vision – The Power of Having and Sharing a Dream
• Boldness – The Ability to See and Seize Opportunities 
• Resilience – The Ability to Bounce Back from Adversity 
• Inspiration – The Ability to Connect with and Motivate Friends & Foes 
• Courage – The Ability to Face the Dangers When They Become Real 
• Selflessness – The Ability to Put Your Cause and Beliefs Ahead of Yourself
• Stamina – The Will and Energy to Hold On 
• Composure – The Power to Keep Your Head 
• Patience – The Strength and Will to Endure and Wait 
• Enthusiasm – The Energy to Fill Every Minute 
• Accountability – The Will to Take Ownership Regardless of the Outcome 

As a lover of history, I largely chose historical figures who represented these leadership attributes. Only James and Louise Mulligan – whose stamina carried them through his seven-year internment as a North Vietnamese POW – are still living.  I began considering which present-day leaders would comprise a modern ‘If–’ Sixteen.

COVID ‘IF–’ SIXTEEN LEADERS

I started compiling the COVID ‘If–’ Sixteen by prowling the internet for stories of leaders who have risen to the COVID challenge.  Some names jumped up and screamed at me.  Consider the boldness of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern as she moved aggressively to seal New Zealand’s border while many world leaders dithered about how to respond.  Or think about the integrity of Dr. Anthony Fauci as he defended the truth about how best to combat COVID-19 despite those who wished to ignore or silence him.  Other leaders have shown a wide range of attributes.  This crisis has also demanded more of some attributes than others.  For example, I have been awed by the number of stories about leadership boldness and courage.  So, this process of choosing a COVID ‘If–’ Sixteen will be hard, and it will be dynamic.

Here’s the good news. In my first two hours of searching, I identified forty-seven worthy leaders for the sixteen slots.  In the past weeks, I have found dozens more.  With so many great leaders out there – and many of them not showing up on an internet search – I plan to make this an interactive process.  I will provide the description of each of the ‘If–’ Sixteen attributes and the leader who held the spot on my original list.  I will identify one current leader who could represent each attribute.  The rest is up to you.  I will invite readers to identify other leaders who exemplify the leadership attribute for them.  Hopefully, we will end up with dozens of examples of leaders who inspire us to lead as they do.  If it works the way I hope, this process will introduce us to new leaders and expose us to new aspects of well-known leaders.  

As you consider this list, be mindful not to limit yourself to leaders you like or whose beliefs align with your own.  Don’t be offended if I write about someone you believe to be mistaken or wrong.  While writing If You Will Lead, I learned more from the leaders with whom I disagreed than those with whom I was closely aligned.  I know that all of the original ‘If–’ Sixteen leaders have baggage – they were human with all its imperfections.  The COVID ‘If–’ Sixteen leaders will also have their own flaws.  Be willing to accept those flaws and learn from every leader and every story.  Stay open and be curious, so that you can learn from each leader and become a stronger leader in your own right.

So here we go!

‘If–’ Sixteen Leadership Attribute #1:  Character – The Wisdom to Know and Trust YourselfRonald Reagan holds this spot on my original list because of his willingness and ability to lead in a way that demonstrated who he was.  His leadership was deeply rooted in his values, beliefs, and principles.

For the COVID ‘If–’ Sixteen, I chose Chancellor Angela Merkel to represent character, because her leadership (especially during the COVID-19 crisis) has demonstrated her core values and beliefs.  In my next post, I will further explain why I chose Chancellor Merkel and how her character-driven leadership has served her people.

In the meantime, who do you think is leading with character?  Tell us why you chose them and how their leadership has benefited others.  Don’t limit yourself to well-known leaders.  Use this as an opportunity to highlight some unsung heroes and quiet leaders.