By Lisa Johnson
During the height of the stay-at-home orders and restrictions, I participated in what I would call THE BEST WEBINAR I have ever been a part of – Leading in a Crisis, and a crisis it definitely was.
This interactive webinar focused on the tsunami of issues that we are facing in today’s world – social issues, racial issues, health issues, and political issues. However, in this world we still have to all work together for the greater good and have empathy for one another.
Through this webinar we took a deep dive, not into the specific issues I mentioned above, but we took a deep dive into ourselves: how we were raised; what were the influences in my life; how did those influences affect my decision-making and the ability to live and work with others; when it was appropriate to have empathy; when it was appropriate to sympathize with others; to negotiate; or simply to just love and understand.
Through this webinar the moderator engaged us – the participants – through web apps, asking us questions to where we could all answer at the same time. It was as though we were all sitting in a room together and we were having an honest conversation.
Before I was even halfway through this dynamic and interactive training, I already knew I had to bring this to my people, my region. So, along with the Committee of 100 and Citizens National Bank, the Bossier Chamber will present Leading in the Unknown on March 4 at 9 a.m. You can register here.
My hope and goal from participating in this webinar is that we collectively can find the same sense of understanding for one another in Northwest Louisiana.
I recognize the title of this training has the word lead in it. However, that does not mean that you have to be in a leadership position to be able to put this understanding into practice. It simply means that each of us, regardless of the position, have an obligation to lead by example.
Don’t be put off by another virtual webinar offering. While we are all experiencing virtual fatigue, this training drew me in and captivated me so much that I did not realize that I was on a webinar any longer. I did not pay attention to anything on my desk; I did not look at my telephone; I did not look at emails; And the next thing I knew 90 minutes had passed and I had learned so much.
I encourage all of you to SAVE THE DATE and join me for a #ThursDATE – March 4, 9 a.m. – to learn to lead in the unknown.
Lisa Johnson | President & CEO of the Bossier Chamber of Commerce
