Leadership under the best circumstances is hard. Leading people to accomplish tasks and goals is easy to talk about in a classroom, but difficult to do in real life. Yes, leadership even in the best of times is hard, hard work.

But leadership becomes nearly overwhelming in a moment of crisis. In a crisis moment, the leader (who is very much human) is sometimes physically exhausted, mentally drained, and emotionally tapped out. There can be overwhelming pressure to make decisions with limited (even inconsistent) information. Providing leadership in a crisis can be beyond difficult.

Such is the case with many of our government leaders. The stress and uncertainty of COVID-19 is making leadership incredibly difficult. I see this with our Governor here in Iowa. Her name is Governor Reynolds and she is doing her absolute best to guide our state through these turbulent times. But there are some critics out there who think they know better and they’re all too eager to share their passionate opinions…

“You’re moving too slow!”

“You’re moving too fast!”

“Order the shelter in place!”

“It’s not that big of a deal so stop freaking people out!”

“You’re going to get us all killed!”

Listen…Here’s the thing with a crisis…Mistakes will be made. In hindsight, timing will (most likely) prove to be an issue in that we moved too slow or we moved too fast. Our Governor is having to make decisions, based upon facts and experts, under the enormous pressure of not only what the other state governors are doing, but also under the angry public opinion of some of her people.

I guess I just want to caution all of us, especially us out here on the prairie, to slow our roll with the criticisms of our government leaders. Certainly, you are entitled to your opinion, but leadership is hard even in the best of circumstances. What the Iowa Governor needs, and what all of our government leaders need, is not our nasty comments, but our respect…not our emotional opinions, but our decorum…and certainly they need not our disdain (“Oh, I could do it better!”), but our prayers…

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” – 1 Timothy 2:1-2

Just some thoughts as we all weather this storm together. And Prairie Flower, as always, God bless you guys…I do love you guys…And I’ll see you when I see you…Take care.