OpinionsEcon 1012 sides of a crisis

2 sides of a crisis

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In the Chinese language, the word “crisis” is composed of two characters, one representing danger, and the other, opportunity.

Against the backdrop of the CoViD-19 pandemic, this two-sided dimension of crisis presents challenges to the whole world. Not one country, big or small, rich or poor has thus far been spared. Does the CoViD-19 present only Danger or an Opportunity as well?

In times of crisis, leaders somehow step forward — sometimes emerging from relative obscurity — to take charge and provide command, authority, direction, inspiration, and whatever is necessary to take care of a situation, in the midst of a stressful and tense atmosphere. The stress level is high, testing the level of Emotional Intelligence of key players in such situations, regardless of the genesis of a crisis.

Rising to the call of the moment, President Duterte focused on the barangay leaders in his initial directive on CoViD-19, giving them the mandate to do everything they could to control the pandemic, and to mitigate its impact on the people.

By doing so, the former Davao mayor showed his personal experience and knowledge on how to respond at the grassroots level.

The task of identification and contact-tracing of CoViD-19 cases, for instance, is facilitated by barangay constituents in the neighborhood. There are interpersonal connections, by blood or by affiliations, thus, facilitating the flow of government response.

For local leaders, the CoViD-19 pandemic presents a chance to apply, and prove the principles of decision-making, combined with official powers to deal with problems, as they are best positioned to address them. Their actions must meet the needs of their constituents to alleviate the negative impacts of the coronavirus, and the consequent imposition of the Enhanced Community Quarantine.

Feedback from the barangays is generally quicker, and there are better chances for their own communities or higher levels of government to point out some flaws, mistakes, or areas of improvements, and make the necessary corrections. Such scenario is best contemplated in the ideal world; or is this genuinely locally-feasible?

For a leader to effectively handle a crisis, he has the utmost task to authoritatively provide the public an accurate and honest account of what is going on, listen to the people, convince them to agree on a definition of the situation, guide them on what needs to be done urgently, and develop a coherent plan to implement such decisions.

Leaders should continuously ask themselves: “How can we use these negative circumstances in a positive way?”

In most cases, the crisis response is well-remembered just as well as the crisis itself.

General MacArthur had said: “A true leader has the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the equality of his actions, and the integrity of his intent.”

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Author’s email: [email protected]

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