Connections and Leadership

Communication is critical to be successful in our businesses as leaders as well as in our personal lives. One useful path to better communication is through Connections with others. When we connect with each other we improve our communication and our relationships. Here is a dramatic example of the power of connections and how they can improve one’s leadership stance.

Rudy Guilliani was the mayor of New York in September of 2001 when terrorists attacked the United States. Immediately after the attacks people were having many emotions such as loss, shock, disoriented, fearful, paralysis. They were also lacking needed information.

Rudy Guilliani stood up and comforted an injured city and nation by explaining that although this was a terrible attack on the people of New York and the country, we were strong, would survive—and eventually overcome. He made sure that information was disseminated timely and accurately. This helped to begin the healing process.

Guilliani truly Connected with almost everyone in this country in those fateful days after the attack. He clearly understood the needs of the people from New York City and around that country for open honest communication, a cool head and deep compassion—and he confidently and humbly fulfilled that need. In other words, he showed enormous leadership qualities in a time of crisis.

Although we may never personally have to lead people through a major crisis like the one on September 11th, we will probably have to handle many of the same types of emotions at various times in our career. Loss, shock, disorientation, fear and paralysis are emotions that can be experienced by workers. Keeping a cool head, having compassion and providing open honest information at all times—including times of crisis—is a powerful connecting and leadership skill.