Page 33 - MS Year in Review 2020
P. 33
LEADERSHIP AND THE HUMAN
SIDE OF THE PANDEMIC AT
WORK
By: Eric G. Flamholtz, PhD Published on April 12, 2020
The Covid-pandemic is clearly an existential threat to humanity as a species. That
is the overwhelming primary issue. A second-order issue is existential threat to a
great many business organizations as well.
Organizational leaders are now caught in a "Catch 22" facing the need to solve the
immediate problems facing their businesses while preparing for an uncertain future.
I have continued in contact via Linkedin, Zoom, Skype, etc. with some of the CEOs
I am working with. Yesterday, one of them said on a Zoom call: "I am spending
most of my time dealing with the emotions of people. They are understandably
afraid."
This was a vivid reminder of the importance of the role of leadership and the human
side of the pandemic at work. This particular CEO is an excellent role model in
many ways; but what he is doing now during the crisis is especially important.
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