Spectrum

When we are in times of crisis, we look to our leaders nationally, statewide and locally to provide us with guidance on how we will make it through the crisis and arrive safely on the other side. At the foundation of what we expect from leadership is honesty and transparency, says Beverly Jones, an author, career consultant and executive coach. Jones has been an attorney, lobbyist, corporate executive, trainer and career specialist as well as authoring the book, “Think Like an Entrepreneur and Act Like a CEO. Also, she is the host of WOUB’s Jazzed About Work podcast. Jones notes that “positivity” is also at the top of the list of what we admire in leaders – not the overly optimistic type of positivity but the kind that gives confidence that we will get through this crisis and get through it together. We also want our leaders to care about us, to have empathy and compassion—to be responsive to the broader needs of citizens or, at least, show concern about people’s pain and fears. We hate arrogance from our l