Leading by Example During a Pandemic

When I became the director of security for the Port of Tacoma, in my first meeting with the then-port executive director, I asked him if he would set the example and display his personal identification badge/card. I knew that if he was seen doing it, others would follow versus me trying to coerce workers to do something that the executive's office chose not to do.

Today I was at the Snohomish Public Utility District (SnoPUD) headquarters here in Washington state. I was there for a keynote that was being taped for later broadcast for their safety days. 

As part of that experience, I met and interacted with John Haarlow, chief executive officer/general manager for SnoPud. I was impressed that he personally led by example by wearing a mask -- which everyone else in the room, a large room, was doing. He was wiping down the handheld mike, doing social distancing and opening the session with an emphasis on safety -- in general.

Too many times, executives think that all the steps to be taken to protect people, be it security or health, are "for others" and not meant for themselves. It felt good to see what authentic leadership looks like.