There is too much happening. But that is not new. There has always been too much happening. That is life on this side of the Fall. We’ve lost our innocence. I think the last two weeks have been some of the most stressful in terms of leadership and love that I have had for a long time (read: last 12 months). I’ve been on the edge of sanity trying to process all of the changes happening. Here’s what I’m seeing…
The dearth of strong leadership is the most apparent crisis we face. Yes, the health crisis (read: pandemic) and the economic repercussions are anxiety inducing. BUT, the lack of clear, decisive, and visionary leadership is appalling. I’m not suggesting this against any particular leader, or party, or media outlet (I’m sure you’d prefer I did). I’m saying across the board there seems to be a lack of leadership (save for perhaps Tony Fauci). Here’s what is needed:
An honest look at all the variables in play. For example, if our goal is to ‘flatten the curve’ what will be the consequences for people in the meantime economically? Is there a point at which the economic and social consequences are unbearable for society? Why, why not? And what is that point? Will someone please make a chart explaining this? These are not questions without answers. Let’s be honest about those answers. If our goal is to delay the influx of patients to hospitals by flattening the curve (which is good, see Italy), then let’s talk about what is going on in the meantime to accommodate the eventual influx of patients. How many tests do we need? What is the plan to get them produced? How many beds do we need? What is the plan to get them built? There must be an interactive spreadsheet somewhere out there for this kind of situation. Leadership does not dodge these realities, it owns them, plans for them, and creates a hopeful vision for the future in spite of circumstances that seem hopeless. Which leads us to our second point…
A clear and compelling vision. A vision is not a pie in the sky idea. It is not platitudes. It is embracing reality, painting a preferred future vision of that reality, and giving definite timelines to how we will work towards that preferred future vision of reality. This has been abysmal on a state by state level. At least Trump (for all his faults) has given it a timeline with a 15 day plan (who knows what happens after that or why…) but speaking from my vantage point I have been given different rules everyday with no rhyme or reason statistically. You can tell me you’re making decisions out of fear. Fine, admit it. But that isn’t leadership. Give me the reasons statistically that we are reducing the workforce by 50% today and not just shutting it down. Show me that you’ve got plan that deals with facts. At what amount of deaths to we change the rules again? How many cases would trigger a different course of action? And then how long would that course of action last until another limitation is placed on society and for what facts and reasons? Surely, there is some leader out there who can make a plan and communicate it. The best I’ve received is: “this will get worse before it gets better” and “this will last for months” and “we don’t know when this will end.” Shut. up. That’s not leadership. That’s pandering to fear. Give me a vision, a timeline for that vision, and facts and reasoning for it. Leadership based in fear is doomed to fail and will doom others along the way. Which brings us to fear…
Reporting of information that is honest and helpful. Helpfulness cuts both ways. Helpfulness is not sugar-coating like putting frosting on a turd. It is the most important information presented a clear manner. Here’s what is not helpful: “You’re Likely to Get the Coronavirus.” “We’re Flying Blind.” “We Were Warned.” “We’re Past the Point of Containment.” “You Want a Coronavirus Test: Here’s Why Your Doctor Probably Won’t Give You One.” “Too Little, Too Late.” “How the Coronavirus Became an American Catastrophe.” Wow, that’s some really helpful headline crafting (sarcasm). I’m sure most people are thrilled to wake up tomorrow. TBH, I didn’t even read those articles. Why? Because the point is not about the content of the articles. The point is that most people are looking at news headlines and the large print to get the big idea. And right now, the big idea that you’re seeing across the board is this: be afraid. And fear sells. I’m not saying there are not legitimate concerns and fears to consider. Surely, there are. I am saying that we are being taken advantage of by people wanting to profit of our ‘clicks.’ False prophets looking for profits sounds clever (and familiar biblically) to me. We need helpful reporting to reduce panic because panic is not helpful. There may be moral reasons to inflict fear on the naive but that is not a helpful strategy longterm. Where are the leaders who will decide that reporting should be helpful? Which leads us to clarify further, what is helpful for society…
We want to ‘care for the least of these’ and do ‘what is most loving.’ Fine. Same. Define that for me and tell me where your definition of what love comes from. Talk to me about the sacrifices that love makes (read: Jesus on the cross). Talk about the tradeoffs that come from prioritizing what is loving for one segment of the population over what is loving for the other segments. Please tell me you’ve thought through that and the implications regarding ‘human flourishing.’ Tell me what sacrifices I should expect to make along the way. But don’t try to use God’s terms against me just because I’m asking legit questions (especially if you don’t believe in God). Because if we’re not clear on what it means to be loving in society and we’re all just singing Kumbaya about love while the Titanic goes down, count me out. I want to take care of the most vulnerable. But are we creating more vulnerable persons in the meantime? Has that even been considered? If so, tell me and make a plan, or PASS A BILL ABOUT IT.
Will someone please step into this leadership vacuum?