April 28, 2020

Hey Gang,

I’ve been thinking a lot about how people deal with tough circumstances. What seems to be the hardest in those moments is not knowing. Not knowing if someone’s health will improve. Not knowing when the next job will come. Not knowing when the thing, whatever the thing may be, will end. At the same time, I’ve been observing leaders: CEOs, colleagues, politicians, healthcare providers, teachers, parents. How do these people lead when they, themselves, don’t know when this will end? How do they make decisions on behalf of stakeholders? What – and how – do they communicate?

Politics aside, the state of California has done a nice job of laying out six critical indicators to consider as we assess the path forward. Every day, the governor talks about these in his press briefings, and he shares how we’re tracking against these indicators. He talks about what happens when we achieve them, with the caveat that we will pivot as necessary if there are setbacks. Comfort and motivation come from data, guardrails, and a clear plan of action. You are all navigating the ‘unknowing’ as executives, as parents, as teachers. So today, a few pieces on this topic.

News & Resources

• Six Lessons on Navigating a Crisis—From the Leaders Who Have Done It Before

• Tips for Compassionate Employee Layoffs – A few of you have reached out to learn from others. Let us know if we can be helpful in making connections and talking through it with you.

• HBR: Don’t Hide Bad News in Times of Crisis

• New Zealand’s Prime Minister May Be the Most Effective Leader on the Planet

Food Fight – send me yours!

Today’s winner is an especially cheery entry (much needed after my intro). Great work, Kelly Kennerly, Head of HR at Kura Oncology!

Chef’s comments: “This is a DELICIOUS pineapple upside-down cake made in our cast-iron skillet! I immediately cut it in half and brought some to a neighbor so we didn’t eat it all. It was even better with my cup of coffee the next morning :) ”

A Little Levity

• Woman Tries To Explain The Pandemic to Her Past Self in This Hilarious Short – Hilarious recap of our absolutely surreal situation

Be well,

Jackie