An Eye on the Storm – A Leadership Experience During COVID-19
Samantha Tan - 21 May 2020
Over the past few weeks, COVID-19 has forced humanity to adapt and overcome. For me, it was quite clear from the beginning that the wounds of this experience could be deep, and that I was situated on the lucky side of the disaster. And so, wrapping myself in a blanket of social media to weather social isolation, I sought perspective on humanity’s fight through the pandemic.
As the terrible effects of COVID-19 spread, the crisis simultaneously generated impressive acts of leadership. Individuals reached out to their communities to organize support that would enable people to overcome the social and financial effects of this crisis. A friend in the US told me about her college Facebook page that allowed students and alumni to connect and offer assistance to community members. Some of her peers also started an initiative offering help to people in abusive home situations. A group of University of Alberta medical students, now known as the “Med Student Army,” formed a group offering grocery shopping services and free child care to frontline healthcare workers. Another friend recently organized a Mother’s Day drive-by for seniors at a retirement home. As I looked through my electronic window to the world, I saw leadership everywhere. Acts that were kind, amazing, and emphasized the importance of community in the face of crisis.
The effects of social distancing on mental health are a growing concern. Social distancing took away the simple, yet very important, act of connecting in person. This absence is hurting people in different ways. Personally, I have found it really lonely not being able to see friends or plan activities. Drawing on this recognition, I am taking care of myself and reaching out to others, realizing that even small efforts of attentiveness can be acts of leadership. My friends have made group video calls a regular occurrence, spamming me with notifications to ensure that we all check in, and I made sure to reach out to my fellow Foundations of Leadership classmates to offer my support and strengthen our community.
These acts help people rise to the challenges of uncertainty – adaptive challenges – so that they can better help themselves and others. I am proud to have witnessed these extraordinary efforts, and encourage everyone to exercise self-care, compassion, kindness and leadership.
Samantha Tan is an undergraduate student in the Faulty of Science and a PLLC scholar.