Are you looking for leadership examples in a crisis? From Iceland to Taiwan and from Germany to New Zealand, women are showing the world how to deal with an unprecedented situation like this. In Finland, Iceland and Denmark, the pandemic highlighted that women are able to take the reins in hand when the situation worsens. These are small states or islands, or other exceptions, but Germany is a world economy that is succeeding, while the United Kingdom is an island with very different results. These leaders are showing the world that power can be used that way. What should we learn from them?
The truth
Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany, spoke to the people at the beginning of the crisis and said calmly that the virus would infect 70% of them. "It's serious," she said. "Take it seriously." Because she took the situation seriously, so did the citizens. Germany avoided the stages of denial, anger and uncertainty that other states went through. The figures that Germany is experiencing are significantly lower than those of its neighbors, and according to the signs, they will soften the measures taken.
determination
Tsai Ing-wen, Taiwan's leader, was among the first to react to the virus. In January, when the disease had just begun to spread, it announced the imposition of 124 measures to prevent infection and isolation that returned to normal elsewhere. Now, it is sending 10 million masks to the United States and Europe. Ing managed to react properly, and Taiwan recorded only six deaths.
Jacinda Ardern of New Zealand restricted movement from the beginning and was more than clear about the level of emergency. She ordered visitors to enter quarantine before returning to the norm for others and shortly afterwards, barred foreigners from entering. By mid-April, only four deaths had been recorded, and while other states were reducing the measures, Ardern was adding to them, forcing all Zealanders returning home to be quarantined for 14 days.
technology
Iceland, under the direction of Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir, offers free analysis to all citizens and will be the first to analyze the spread and fatality of the virus. Most states only test people who show symptoms. Iceland is testing them all. In relation to the population, the island has tested five times more people than South Korea and has implemented a tracking system that does not require the closure of businesses or schools.
