Motivational speaker/author Brian Tracy once wrote “the true test of leadership is how you function in a crisis.”
The pandemic crisis facing the globe presents our leaders with an epic test of leadership skills.
One of the leadership principles revolves in showing confidence and feeling somewhat comfortable.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appears to have done that, even gaining confidence from some folks who bristle with anger at the mention of his name.
His flashy wannabe rock star image has been replaced by a serious, compassionate leader. Some will say the former drama teacher is just acting well.
U.S. President Donald Trump’s leadership, by contrast, makes him a chump. First, he denied the seriousness of COVID-19, calling it a Democratic Party hoax. Then he pretended all was well and America would soon be out of harm and blamed the disease on the Chinese.
When he realized the gravity of COVID-19, he wanted border closure and absolute authority over the 52 states.
Deflecting blame for his mistakes in recognizing the pandemic’s nature, Trump pulled $500 million from the World Health Organization — about one-quarter of its budget.
Trump’s “leadership’’ is what we’d expect from a juvenile.
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe, a bit of a follower of other provinces at first, has turned out to be a steady hand at the wheel, earning his high approval rating among premiers.
A steady Scott is what we need in this situation.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford, at the bottom of premier approval ratings in December with 28 per cent over his destruction of government services, seems to have redeemed himself.
He has projected strength and comfort. His outrage at people not social distancing or self-isolating and price gouging on hand sanitizer won him respect. Declaring the Easter Bunny an essential service showed a human touch.
Ford’s concern at all the long-term care home cases seemed genuine until it was revealed that annual unannounced weeklong inspections of these homes by the Ford government health inspectors had been substituted for pre-warned shorter inspections — mostly in reaction to complaints.
The nursing home association had asked for relief from excessive documentation. Ford complied in the name of reducing red tape.
Lesson: be wary of politicians who promise to reduce red tape. Contrary to popular belief bureaucrats do not spend their time devising unnecessary red tape to torment us.
In contrast to Ford, Quebec’s Stephen Legault appears grandfatherly. His essential service declaration of the tooth fairy re-assured anxious young folks and relaxed older ones.
Among the other premiers, Alberta’s Jason Kenney seemed to throw off his separatist slicker when he promised to share protective equipment with other provinces. Alberta had recognized the need early and stocked up.
You can be certain Kenney’s sharing will come up when he proposes more oil pipelines down east.
B.C. Premier John Horgan has preferred to let his health officials handle the crisis while Manitoba’s Brian Pallister and Nova Scotia’s Stephen McNeil have led the charge.
McNeil’s “stay the blazes home’’ comment hit a chord with voters.
Ron Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel.net
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.
