Leading during a time of crisis

by Kelly Augustine, Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce

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In a time of crisis, leaders are challenged with making decisions in turbulent, unfamiliar circumstances, knowing that one decision can make for either successful advancements or crippling setbacks. 

“COVID-19 has introduced uncertainty in all aspects of our lives. Our businesses are struggling and our national situation has placed our workforce under stress. Effective leadership in business during this crisis is essential to support employees and to see our businesses through this unprecedented year,” said Larissa Philpot, President and CEO of Nacogdoches Economic Development Corporation. “NEDCO and the Nacogdoches County Chamber are inviting all business and organization leaders to the Leadership in Times of Crisis webinar.”

Program presenters are Robert Hurst, Critical Leadership, pictured left, and Miles McCall, Commercial Bank of Texas and Life Crisis Leader, pictured right.

“First and foremost, I want to give encouragement and hope to those who have been under enormous amounts of stress during the past three-and-a-half months,” Hurst said. “We can equip leaders with tools that they can use in their businesses and organizations. Right now, we are at a unique point in time where we can build a new future.”

With years of experience in disaster response, Hurst acknowledged that lessons learned from mistakes made in past emergency situations can be used in the present pandemic crisis. He warned that “sitting back and waiting for this to pass could be a fatal mistake. I want everyone to be creating a clear vision and setting clear goals for themselves and their people.”

McCall has led trainings for C-suite executives, volunteer directors and a mixed bag of others who find themselves in leadership roles and making decisions that could potentially affect all who are involved in their business or organization.

“I’ve preached that ‘life is a crisis,’” McCall said. “To be the best you can be, set out to do something that will outlast you. That is the definition of leadership. “I hope all or our local leaders attend the webinar, because even the smallest leadership decisions made during this time have the potential to impact generations to come.”

The Leadership in Times of Crisis webinar is part of the Nacogdoches Economic Development Corporation and Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce Business Development Series. The webinar begins at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 22 and is sponsored by Piney Woods Apartment Association. There is no charge to attend and online registration is available or contact the chamber of commerce at 936-560-5533.

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