Leadership shows up every single day if you just look around. Not everyone will have the title of leader, but they are leading. It is demonstrated most when people step up to lead when no one else does. Some people just naturally do it because that is who they are at their core. Others do it because it is the right thing to do.
Watching the hurricane and historic flooding that is happening in Houston shows everyday people who are stepping up to lead to help those who are going through this devastating situation. I have heard stories of people driving from other states with their boats to help rescue people who are stranded. Others who are volunteering their time to help those who are in the evacuation centers after being rescued. Another group of people is focusing on the animals that have been found and need help too. People are fundraising to help provide money for all that will be needed to support the victims of the hurricane.
This is unfortunately not the first time that Houston and these other cities have been through this type of event. I thought about some of the people who had been relocated to Houston when Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans. They are now going through it a second time. All those who have been through this event have already demonstrated such courage and bravery. Their strength and resiliency will be put to the test and they will come back even stronger.
Strong leadership will be needed to bring Houston and the other cities that are impacted back from this devastation. It is still too early to tell the extent of damage this storm has really done yet. It is going to take a lot of money and many years to rebuild the physical things like roads, buildings and homes. The emotional side of this for people who went through this traumatic event will last a lot longer.
Bringing people together to support those in this time of need is what we do. Leading by example to save those who are trapped on the roof of their house or in their car. Doing whatever is needed to comfort those who may just lose everything that they have. You can see how traumatic this has been for everyone. Even reporters are almost at a loss for words just trying to describe it. For those of us who are not there, we can’t even pretend to know what it is like. However, this is an opportunity for us to lead from wherever we are to support them and express gratefulness for those who are stepping up to lead on the ground there.