The Heart of Leadership: Reflections on a Pandemic

Cheryl Boughton
The COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally changed everything we do at SJK. Twelve weeks ago, we had never heard of this virus. A few weeks later, it seemed like a distant prospect. And then, I had a conversation with a prospective teacher that changed everything for me.
I spoke to someone who currently teaches in Asia. His school had been closed for weeks at that time and he was teaching primary school students remotely. He warned me, “Whatever time you think you have, you have a lot less than you think. At our school, we needed to pivot to remote learning with 12 hours notice.” I am deeply grateful that I had this conversation when I did. From that moment I started to move into action, thinking deeply about what we could do and rallying all our resources. It bought us a bit of time.

Now, one week after we made the decision to close the school temporarily, we are settling into the routine of working from home, participating in many video meetings and planning for the future. In the midst of all our activity, I have also reflected upon how essential leadership is at this moment. We have to lead our school through uncharted waters and it seems to me that there are a few important things to keep in mind.

  1. Lead with your heart and your head. We have tough decisions to make. Although it is important to be practical and pragmatic, we have to be empathetic too. Balance your heart and your head and you’ll make the right decision.
  2. Let the mission guide you. There is a reason why our schools have mission statements. They are there to guide us in both good times and in bad. Stick to your school’s why and don’t waver.
  3. Speed trumps perfection. It is not business as usual. We typically would take the time to get things right. During a crisis, it is important to take action rather than strive for perfection. Keep moving forward.
  4. Tell your story. It is important that communication is clear and consistent in times of crisis. Avoid confusion by owning your story. Make sure that it is also a compelling one.
  5. Look toward the future. This situation will pass and things will get better. Keep your eyes on the horizon and make sure that you plan for a new day.

My final thought is that it is important to be grateful for everyone’s efforts especially in the midst of a crisis. I feel very grateful for our dedicated SJK team, who are trying to think differently in these extraordinary times.This is an unprecedented moment in history that calls on us to dig deep and find a way forward. I have no doubt we will accomplish great things and inspire our students. Our campus may be temporarily closed, but our learning will continue.
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