2020 has changed the ways the world lives and works forever.
This month’s Skim focuses on the individuals and companies leading the way through the most challenging crisis in generations.
Brian Chesky, Airbnb CEO
‘You cannot possibly predict how things are going to play out. You ask yourself; how do I want to be remembered for this crisis?’
As the CEO of a global travel giant Airbnb’s Brian Chesky is leading at the helm of one of the worst affected industries in the coronavirus crisis.
In the Masters of Scale podcast, he discusses the financial risks the company have taken in order to lead from the right side of history, including providing guests with full refunds to prevent them from travelling, establishing relief funds for the hosts and helping to provide accommodation for frontline workers, as well as outlining the firm’s plans for the future.
Brew Dog
‘We’ve overcome the challenge by packing the sanitiser in anything suitable we can get our paws on, including small beer bottles.’
Following the closure of pubs, bars and cafes across the nation, brewery and pub chain Brewdog turned its attention from Punk IPAs to what it now calls ‘Punk Sanitiser.’ It has started to distribute its first batches to the NHS, and is rising to all challenges – from production to dispatch and container availability.
The company have released an official statement on their website detailing their mission in full.
Kings Fund
‘Connection and compassion are certain, unchanging and provide a safe refuge in the face of this onslaught on health and care systems and our wider communities.’
At a time when genuine leadership is at a premium, public health think tank The King’s Fund have turned their attention to the need for compassion in leadership, guided by the core needs of a workforce.
The respected organisation has published an insightful blog detailing a three-pronged approach to compassionate leadership during the pandemic, which focuses on the facets of autonomy, belonging and competence.
Arianna Huffington
‘What’s missing from our conversation is how leaders need to show up ready to lead from what is best, wisest, most creative and empathetic in them.’
Huffington Post founder Arianna Huffington’s company Thrive Global was created to find solutions to burnout caused by workplace stresses. Now, in the light of the current crisis, she has shared her insights on how leadership must adapt to this end.
Her message is clear – that care for the collective begins with care for the individual, including ourselves as well as those around us, and that leaders cannot operate with a sole focus on external challenges while ignoring the internal challenges.
Check out what she has to say here.
The Skim will return in June, but in the meantime you might enjoy the following blogs: