Important lessons for business leaders emerging from Covid-19 politics

Many news sources (e.g. CNN) have reported how some countries have managed the Covid-19 pandemic much more effectively than others. In a majority of the most successful high-profile countries, these have been led by women. 

Reading many of these articles, a handful of critical, reoccurring themes struck me about these exceptional leaders:

 1. They’ve put people before profits (some experts predict economics will play out better as a result).

 2. They’ve used science and data to drive evidence-based decision making (not ego or superior knowledge).

 3. They’ve acted early and decisively (days matter in crises—to proactively respond, and maintain public confidence).

 4. They’ve won the confidence of who they lead (from transparency and actions, not downplaying challenges or rhetoric).

Bravo to Ing-wen, Merkel, Ardern, Marin as inspirational leaders.