September 7, 2005

Leadership Lessons from Katrina

Geraldo and Hillary say the government blew it in their response to Katrina. The governor of Louisiana says the FEMA Director should be fired. The Big Easy's mayor shouted "SOS" and despaired until help finally came. The President says he would have been able to respond quicker if the local leaders had called for help more quickly.

People died while Nero fiddled.

I have no idea what Katrina tales are true and where blame ought to go. All I know is what I hear from Geraldo, Shawn, and their talk-host friends. And it's hard to hear truth thru the strident words of their biases.

However, in the midst of many words, I see eight leadership lessons scrawled in the mud for all of us to learn...

1. Plan ahead, knowing that there's a good chance your worst dreams will come true...at the worst possible time.

2. Never arrest someone stealing milk. Especially when they, and their family, have been left hungry and thirsty for days. "Stealing" takes on new meaning when the kids are dying.

3. Forget the tags. Democrat, Republican, Black, White, Hispanic, Catholic, Protestant, Reveler, Reformer, Young, Old, Poor, Wealthy. All are irrelevant when the water rises. That's when everyone finds out what kind of leader you are. Blind servants make the best leaders.

4. Blame words may sound good for a moment. They may even get 60 seconds on the evening news and be repeated above the fold on page one of The Times. But, they'll taste bitter as you eat them tomorrow. Never blame others for your own failures.

5. "Listening Wisely" is the core competency of leadership. It's all about listening to the people well, and then leading them to a place they will recognize as "The Promised Land." That may be as simple as an air-conditioned bus, or as complex as an island with well-built levees. Listen. Know what they need. Make it happen. Celebrate their happiness.

6. No shout, claim, promise, accusation, or cry is as effective as a community prayer. An ounce of God's help is equal to a lifetime of your best talent and efforts. Leave Him out, and drown. Make Him your leader, and walk with the people to safety.

7. Welcome help, regardless of its source. Water tastes the same if delivered by Franklin Graham or Al Franken. Be thankful, but hold onto your car keys.

8. Feed the kids with pizzaz and bury the dead with honor. Both call for celebrations.

God Says: "Whatever you do for the least of these, my children, you have done it to me." Matthew 25:40

FYi
Florida Hospital has now collected more than 1,200 Buckets of Hope, and delivered many of those to the Gulf Coast.
Our teams that have been in Mississippi for the last few days will be home Friday. We'll have a complete report then.
Thanks for all you have done and are doing to help in the relief effort.

Dick Duerksen
Assistant Vice President
Mission development
Florida Hospital