|
It's the first week of April! If you are situated locally in the DMV, then this past week has been no joke. I'm referring to, of course, the Francis Scott Key bridge. The human tragedy is bad enough, let alone the economic tragedy. My leadership message this month is a reminder to open our minds to and prepare for possibilities we might otherwise consider improbable and lead with a long view mindset. Two cases in point:
First, contingency plans. I read a statement regarding safety and security for the bridge that included ongoing plans for maintaining structural integrity and patrolling for suspicious activity. "We thought about the possiblitity of a ship hitting a key bridge support, yet considered that an improbable occurance." Need I say any more? The lesson I take from this as I lead your Montgomery Women Board as well as my own business is to have processes in place for as many possibilities as we can, even the improbable. We as a Board have developed and documented standard operating procedures across all of our committees as well as updated our bylaws in recent years to anticipate improbable scenarios and actions to take should they happen. In your leadership roles, what contingencies - including the improbable - do you need to consider and document?
Second, lead with a long view. Govenor Wes Moore said, “The collapse of the Key Bridge is not just a Maryland crisis. It is a global crisis. The national and world economies depend on the Port of Baltimore. This is impacting the farmer in Kentucky, the auto dealer in Ohio, the restaurant in Tennessee." When you make a decision in your leadership role, ask yourself what is the long view impact your decision will have? When you donate to Montgomery Women's scholarship fund for Montgomery College, what world-changing discovery will a student make five years from now because you enabled them to graduate when they might not otherwise have been able to do so? Whose life has been extended by many years because she was able to remain relevant and active as a leader in your organization long after retirement from a career when other retirees without such opportunities struggle with mental and physical health lacking reasons to thrive?
It's a shame that it takes a catastrophe to remind us of leadership lessons we might otherwise not consider. When "stuff happens", dig deep to find lessons you can internalize and apply to your own life and career. They can be more impactful than any you learn in school!
Until next time,
Sylvia Henderson
President, Montgomery Women
| 
