HOLD THE LINE — Covid-19 and Leadership
Combat is the ultimate expression of consequence. When combat leadership is done incorrectly there are three potential outcomes, all of which are unacceptable: mission failure, injury, or death. The good news is that the leadership process needed for great results is the same during crisis as it is during times of calm. However, in any moment of crisis, there is one phrase that sets the stage until we can recover from the initial shock of chaos and exercise the process you’ve heard me speak about so often: HOLD THE LINE!
In any military battle throughout our history, this phrase has been spoken as a matter of necessity. “Hold the line” until we get you the supplies you need. “Hold the line” until we send re-enforcements. “Hold the line” until we figure out what the hell is going on and make a plan.
We are in a time of crisis and our Government, in fact Governments around the world, are asking citizens to do one thing: HOLD THE LINE. “Hold the line” until we get more testing kits. “Hold the line” until we get a vaccination. “Hold the line” until we flatten the curve.
We are in crisis, but we are not in combat. In this case, “hold the line” does not mean literally staring down of the barrel of an enemy combatant’s gun whose sole intention is to end your life. No, in the case of COVID-19, “hold the line” means one thing, “Stay the hell home unless absolutely necessary.”
You’ve heard me say over and over that we must lead ourselves before anything else. You’ve heard me say over and over that leadership in the home is the most important leadership endeavor you will undertake. So now it’s time to lead. It’s time to lead your family and yourself by holding the line. What does that mean? Stay the hell home unless absolutely necessary!
Hold the line! Because in this crisis, holding the line simply isn’t that hard to do and it will ensure we win this battle! Now, go lead and HOLD THE DAMN LINE!
Errol Doebler is the founder of Leader 193, a leadership consulting firm. After successful careers as a Navy SEAL Platoon Commander and FBI Special Agent, Errol founded Leader 193 to realize his passion of empowering great leaders and better human beings. Errol provides executive coaching, leadership training, and corporate retreats to individuals and teams across the world.
