Great Leaders Run Towards the Fire
This past week, the events in Eastern Europe reminded the world of what courageous leadership looks like.
The U.S. government offered to evacuate Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky from the besieged city of Kyiv, but he declined.
According to the Associated Press, Zelensky said, “The fight is here; I need ammunition, not a ride.”
“The fight is here; I need ammunition, not a ride.” Click To TweetInstead of evacuating to safety, he chose to remain in Ukraine’s capital as Russian forces closed in. He addressed his frightened citizens from Kyiv and urged them to stay strong and united.
He reminded them, “I’m here. We won’t lay down our arms. We will defend our state.”
His actions stand in stark contrast to what we usually see from politicians. So much so that the entire world has noticed.
If you run a Google search for “Zelensky” and “leadership,” you will find hundreds of articles that news organizations have written about his bold leadership in the past several days.
Zelensky is demonstrating what it means to run to the fire. It’s a subject I have written about on my blog, and I cover it in detail in my latest leadership book, All in the Same Boat.
Great leaders lead from the front. Click To TweetGreat leaders lead from the front.
They understand that when something threatens their organization, they run towards the danger and personally lead the efforts to attack the threat with tenacity.
These leaders know that everyone is watching them and how they respond to these challenges will set the tone for the rest of the organization.
The country of Ukraine needs strong leadership right now, and Zelensky is providing it.
The question is – what will you do the next time your company is facing a threat? Will you run away or towards the fire?
[Photo credit FACEBOOK / @Volodymyr Zelensky/A]
Courageous leadership, indeed. Our company went through a test, starting in March 2020, when the coronavirus started to spread. Our leadership rose to the occasion. Regarding Zelensky, I have two other points to make… 1. I don’t know if this is true or not, but I’ve read that Putin is out in the Urals. So, NOT leading from the front. In the rear with the fear. 2. The USA needs a Zelensky… a young, energetic and charismatic leader who can rally many of our people and get them going in the same direction because they believe in something.