Leadership in tough times

Japan is in some real challenges these days, with the earth quake making the nuclear reactor ready to melt-down, and the tsunami flooding the land and leaving behind chaos and havoc. These are the days when Japan need clear leadership. And these are the days when we see just that - clear operative leadership combined with years of preparations and planning.

Japan is situated in one of the areas that are stricken by earth quakes regularly. A location that has taught the Japanese people to prepare for the devastation and uncertainty only a catastrophe can create. One example of such preparations are the the building regulations. All buildings constructed today (well, since the 1960s) are to comply with the worlds probably strictest rules and regulations for construction. Rules made into force by laws both in the 1960s, and by adaptations and adjustments after the Kobe quake in 1995.

Looking at the past days of events, there are no wonder why the Japanese implemented strict regulations and laws to make sure buildings could survive an earthquake. We all understand that. We endorse it, and we praise the Japanese for being so forthcoming.

Why is this related to leadership?

Disaster strikes. Period. We just don’t know when it strikes. Good leadership is to know disaster will strike. Great leadership is to prepare, plan and do what is reasonable to reduce the risk. Before the disaster strikes.

The Japanese prepared. They made sure to be as ready as they could possibly be. Not only the leaders, but everyone. Pictures of school kids preparing for earth quakes with special hats have shown us that the Japanese take this seriously.

What is more - good leadership accepts the disaster, and try to save their own but. Great leadership set in place the plans they have prepared, adopt as necessary, and get hands-on when the disaster come crashing. And continue to solve the issues as they arise - they know that before it get better, it will get worse.

Sitting on the other side of the world, some question remains - what can we all learn from this? How can a disaster like the earthquake make us all better leaders? How can we use our competence, knowledge and resources to help Japan today, and prepare ourself to handle our own disasters tomorrow?