Leading With Care and Compassion in Crisis Moments

My View

I remember the day during the last financial crisis when my boss — I’ll call her Ronni — announced an emergency meeting in her office across town. My heart racing, I let the vice principals know I would be leaving the high school campus where I was principal.

The last time I had been called across town for an urgent meeting, we received news that our superintendent had unexpectedly resigned. I feared news of a death, a sudden illness, something tragic. Instead, Ronni greeted me alone in her office with narrowed eyes and a smile that did not quite reach her eyes. That should have alerted me to what was to come.

Maybe if you had invited me to your parties, I would know you better, Ronni suggested. Yes, a few close colleagues had come to parties I hosted. A woman of your age? She raised her eyebrow. Yes, I had just turned 50. In this economy? Yes, our economy was taking a devastating downward turn. With two children in private college? I hadn’t shared that information with her. Seems you would be happy for any job I toss your way.