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Inspiration

Leading with hope after adversity

ith the second quarter of 2021 underway and and their companies pivoted to meet the needs of custom-
good economic indicators on the horizon, ers when the pandemic took hold. Members of The Green
many of us are optimistic that enterprises of Sheet Advisory Board, for example, gave us a glimpse of
W all kinds will flourish as the gravest dangers leadership in action when they shared how they dealt
of the pandemic recede. with the crisis in our Dec. 14 and 28, 2020, and Jan. 11,
2021, issues.
What does this time of transition mean for leadership? We
won't be restricted like we've been since COVID-19 took Easing into a new normal
us hostage, but we won't be living in a world quite like the I have full confidence we will all continue to adapt as
pre-pandemic one either. Should we take a new conditions change, doing what is necessary to
tack? facilitate commerce and widen access to
ever more innovative and inclusive
According to leadership develop- forms of payment acceptance and
ment expert Randy Goruk, lead- business services.
ership right now isn't much
different than it is during In a sense, we are all begin-
any other time, good or ning anew, learning from
bad. The skills and quali- what worked well in the
ties that see us through prior year and creating
routine challenges, as new models of work
well as help us address going forward. Here
events that take us by are some things to
surprise, are exactly keep in mind during
what we need to get this hopeful time of
us through. This no- opening up:
tion is reassuring.
• Decide who your
Taking skillful com- core team will be and
mand bring them together.

In March 2020, Goruk • Evaluate your re-
listed five things an ef- cent actions and plans,
fective leader must be and determine what has
able to do: worked and what hasn't.
1. Demonstrate unwaver- • Be honest about what to-
day's market conditions and
ing character challenges are.
2. Care about the well being of
your employees, customers, ven- • Review and revise your business
dors and community plan to allow for current reality.
3. Communicate your plans and solicit sugges- • Determine the best way to market your
tions from your team revamped offerings.
4. Be thorough in your research and planning but don't As some people return to the office or to the field, oth-
procrastinate ers work from home permanently, and some adopt a com-
5. Be mentally tough. bination of in-person and remote work, be mindful that
people often need reassurance during transition—even
during times of positive change. Go out of your way to
"It will be easier to make the correct decision if you check in with folks and let them know how to get support
stay grounded by your values, your mission, and your as we all participate in creating our new normal.
vision for the future," Goruk added. "You must embrace
accountability—don't wait for someone else to take action.
You are the leader."
Goruk's clarity reminds me of comments colleagues in
the payments industry made when discussing how they
Kate Gillespie, President and CEO
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