Ask people what makes a great leader in theory, and they will often point a lofty vision. But ask them about a leader that they trusted and felt good following in reality, and they will point to something else. A sense of being reassured, a strong connection that that made them feel safe. Embodying a more humane, less visionary, model of leadership might be what propelled Joe Biden Jr. to the White House in the 2020 US Presidential elections, Gianpiero argues in this new piece in Fast Company.
The election commentary builds this essay in the Harvard Business Review, on the importance of “holding” for leaders in a crisis. Gianpiero explores what “holding” is, how to provide it, and why it matters most in a crisis.