The Next Right Thing - Linda Cruse on frontline leadership, the Recovery Zone and being capable

Hi – this is Julie Masters and you’re listening to The Next Right Thing – a mini-series from The Inside Influence Team. Designed to provide some actionable certainty in uncertain times. Specifically – and the situation we’re all facing right now – the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lock down.

The idea behind this series is to go out to some of the most popular guests from past episodes of Inside Influence – and ask them one question: ‘What are the most important things you’re focusing on right now (tools, ideas, strategies) - or advising your clients to focus on - that you know for sure work in uncertain times?’

The intention being that somewhere in there, from these incredible minds, you might be able to find inspiration for your next right thing – a point of certainty amidst the uncertainty.

In this episode I speak with… Linda Cruse – frontline humanitarian, leadership expert and author of ‘Leading on the Frontline – Remarkable stories and essential leadership lessons from the worlds danger zones.’

Linda has worked alongside some of the world’s most influential figures including HH The Dalai Lama, Sir Richard Branson and HRH The Prince of Wales, and with companies, foundations and universities including GSK, Virgin Unite, Cadbury, Rabobank, KPMG, Merrill Lynch, the World Bank.

Her main message being this – when crisis comes – and we find ourselves on the frontline in whatever form - we need to stop focusing on being charitable – and start focusing on being capable.

In this conversation we talk about… Leading from the frontline – what she has learned works when all traditional structure and hierarchy falls away. The concept of charitable vs capable – and why there are 7.7 billion hero’s on this planet right now. And how recovery actually works – not the sanitised ‘plan on a spreadsheet’ kind – but the messy ‘making it up the next right thing at a time, when the ground is constantly shifting beneath us’ kind.

What I want you to reflect on here… is that in crisis and uncertainty – those that emerge as the leaders – both as individuals and brands – are often not who you would expect. As frequently as it’s the top dog – it’s someone you may never have noticed before. Someone who decides, for whatever reason, that now is the time to stand up and contribute the best that they have to give – with certainty. Essentially, those that make the decision to focus more on ‘capability’ than ‘catastrophe’.

If you want to dig even further into Linda’s knowledge and background… you can hunt down our previous conversation - which I believe is episode No. 22. You’ll also hear her talk about ‘Race For Good’ which is an online platform (I think maybe app) that she’s developing to allow capable people around the globe to collaborate on solving some of the world’s greatest issues. At the time of publishing it’s not yet finished – but keep an eye out in the coming weeks.

Not perfect – showing up…

So… other than staying well and looking after each other - I hope somewhere in here you find the fuel you need for your next right thing.

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