I'll never forget that March morning in 2020. My phone buzzed with an urgent message - I'd been tapped for our agency's COVID response team. My heart raced as I walked into my team meeting, knowing they'd look to me for answers I didn't have. But you know what? We got through it. Together. And you will, too.
Dear government leader, I see you. The weight of proposed federal changes, contract reviews, and grant uncertainties is heavy. Your people are looking to you, just like mine looked to me. And even though you might be processing your own worries, you're showing up every day with strength and grace.
This week's Leadership Code Word is HARBOR...
... because that's precisely what you are for your team right now.
Just as a harbor provides safety during storms, your steady presence is precisely what your team needs.
Here's how to be their harbor (while taking care of yourself too):
🌊 Listen with Your Heart
- Create space for concerns (including your own)
- Share "I hear you" moments
- Remember: you don't need all the answers to be supportive
🌊 Focus on Your Circle of Control
- Guide your team to focus on what they CAN influence
- Keep daily work moving forward - it provides stability
- Maintain team routines where possible - they're comforting anchors
- Remember: energy spent on things we can't control is energy wasted
🌊 Capture Your Team's Greatness
- Help each person articulate their unique superpowers
- Document team wins and project successes
- Celebrate the skills they've developed
- Remember: their talents and accomplishments don't disappear with organizational changes
🌊 Build Your Village
- Create lasting connections (team chats, social media groups)
- Encourage peer support networks
- Stay connected - community matters now more than ever
🌊 Lead with Grace
- Be present and visible
- Share what you know honestly
- Trust that your calm presence is enough
Here's what I want you to know: Leadership can be challenging on the easy days, and what you're navigating right now is especially tough.
But you're doing better than you think. Your steady presence, your thoughtful words, your quiet strength - it all matters more than you know.
You're not just managing change - you're showing others how to face uncertainty with dignity and hope. That's real leadership, my friend.
And hey - who's supporting YOU through this?
Leadership can feel lonely, but it doesn't have to be. I've created a special coaching package specifically for amazing government leaders like you. Because sometimes you need a safe harbor too.
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