The COVID-19 pandemic happened to all of us. It is our common lived experience. Though not as globally impactful I experienced regional viral epidemics and the ensuing public health interventions while living in Vietnam. The first in 2003 when SARS was diagnosed in Hanoi, quickly followed in 2004 by H5N1 better known as the Avian Flu, and in 2009 H1N1 Swine Flu, both spreading to Ho Chi Minh City where I lived. Masks were commonly worn in public places, temperatures taken at entrances to schools and hospitals, adults and children monitored closely when sick. We avoided pork, baked without eggs, and became accustomed to KFC serving fish. It was inconvenient but we took precautions and stayed calm.<\/p>\n
Fear was understandable as COVID-19 began to spread. I was scared when travel to visit my daughter in Seoul was cancelled and the country locked down. My counseling practice went online until the lack of in person contact became detrimental to my clients. I had limited access to my kids and grandchildren during those early months. What disrupted my peace the most was the lack of empathy and respect for people making deeply personal decisions, and the absence of calming reassurance from world leaders and public health officials.<\/p>\n
Voicing my thoughts and feelings at the time seemed to contribute to the disconnection and chaos I already felt. So, I listened and supported as we all made difficult decisions. I don\u2019t take it for granted that I lived through the pandemic. I prayed earnestly that the world would come out better for it and that God would do something new. I prayed that while staying home we would find rest, a renewed sense of what mattered most, tend to our relationships, and deepen our trust in God. I prayed leaders would make wise decisions.<\/p>\n
Was the COVID-19 pandemic a Tower of Babel moment revealing our hearts and presenting us with an invitation to wake up and take notice? I needed a book on leadership that moved me forward out of that not so distant reality as I continue to grasp the new realities of our uncertain world today. I appreciate a leadership voice emerging from those challenging years.<\/p>\n
Rethinking Leadership: A Critique of Contemporary Theories<\/em>, by Annabel Beerel is a thoughtful companion to Peter G. Northouse\u2019s, Leadership Theory & Practice Ninth Edition.<\/em> Written during the COVID-19 pandemic, Beerel\u2019s critique and observations offer a unique perspective during a chaotic time in world history in which reactive leadership appeared to be the norm and the voice of calm reassurance sorely lacking. Her call to rethink leadership is timely and her contribution as a woman adds a valuable perspective and voice to our discussions on leadership. From her prologue to her conclusion she makes a clear call for, \u201c\u2026new \u00a0leaders with new levels of consciousness, courage, and compassion\u201d to emerge.[1]<\/a> Beerel contributes to the leadership toolbox with her insights on mindfulness which she believes is an essential trait for effective leadership.[2]<\/a> Mindful leadership does not rise to the levels of a proper leadership model or theory, but it offers beneficial tools that prepare the leader to name and face the complex realities of our world, make hard decisions, and offer reassurance to those we lead. She gives us the gift of awareness, a call to silence, to see, to listen, and respond rather than react to realities we can no longer deny or avoid.<\/p>\n We live in a rapidly changing world. Beerel writes, \u201cThe key task of leadership is to identify<\/em>, frame<\/em>, and align<\/em> people to new realities” (italics mine).[3]<\/a> This task paired with Peter Northouse\u2019s definition of leadership as, \u201ca process whereby an individual influences a group of individuals to achieve a common goal\u201d gives greater purpose to our mission as leaders in any situation.[4]<\/a> Simon Walker adds, \u201cA leader leads people from where they are currently to another place, at first unknown to them and can only be imagined.\u201d[5]<\/a> In other words, we live in a world of threshold spaces. Leaders provide the much needed clarity to define the times, provide a steady hand to guide, and reassuring presence that companions us through uncertain realities.<\/p>\n Crisis and chaos, both personal and global, can erupt at any time taking leaders by surprise. Beerel poses the question, \u201cAre we really surprised or are we just not paying attention?\u201d[6]<\/a> That is an excellent question to consider. I have had my share of unpleasant surprises which took my breath away leaving me overwhelmed and fearful. I really didn\u2019t see them coming. When I slowed down to consider my circumstances there were tell-tale signs I ignored, denied, or was too confused to know what to do. I really didn\u2019t want to see. Not seeing is a problem all leaders must face.<\/p>\n Beerel writes, \u201cLeading in times of crises requires multiple skills. These include a calm demeanor, the courage to speak reality, an ability to find clarity amid chaos, a capacity for deep empathy, and sensitive timing.\u201d[7]<\/a> So how do we get there? In Chapter 13 Beerel suggests leaders ought to be practitioners of mindfulness and meditation. Leaders need practices that give us space to be, to breathe, to tend to our souls, minds, and bodies. We need practices that slow us down so we can truly see the new realities we face from a place of calm assurance.<\/p>\n If we are to achieve higher levels of consciousness, courage, and compassion as leaders we need practices that will sustain us. Mindfulness, meditation, and intentional spiritual practices that draw us closer to God, all have the power to aid in our leadership callings. I need to get practicing!<\/p>\n What mindful and spiritual practices support your leadership calling?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [1]<\/a> Annabel Beerel, Rethinking Leadership: A Critique of Contemporary Theories <\/em>(London, UK: Routledge, 2021), x.<\/p>\n [2]<\/a> Beerel, Rethinking Leadership,<\/em> 286.<\/p>\n [3]<\/a> Ibid., 178.<\/p>\n [4]<\/a> Peter C. Northouse, Leadership: Theory & Practice Ninth Edition <\/em>(Los Angeles, CA: SAGE, 2022), 6.<\/p>\n [5]<\/a> Simon P. Walker, Leading out of Who You Are: Discovering the Secret of Undefended Leadership<\/em>, (London, UK: Piquant Edition Ltd. 2007), 6.<\/p>\n [6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=XhYKuXagBuA<\/a><\/p>\n