Crisis situations put everyone to the test. There is no obvious way to go, the usual resources are lacking and the future is uncertain. In these moments we need more than ever people capable of suggesting new routes, adapting old habits and, above all, stimulating unity, in order to create a common vision of a possible brighter future. For this reason, it is in time of crisis that true leaders are revealed.

Amid the Coronavirus pandemic, the attitude of one of the world’s greatest leaders represents this very well. Completely alone, Pope Francis climbed the steps of St. Peter’s Square, which is usually packed with thousands of faithful, to say a prayer that traditionally only happens on Easter and Christmas, the main dates of the Catholic calendar. The images and words of this special blessing touched the world in a historic moment.

It was not the first time that the Pope has surprised us in recent weeks. Regardless of religious beliefs, we can recognize in his attitudes the qualities expected of great leaders at this moment, whether in institutions, companies, politics or even in family relationships:

Review decisions while maintaining values

Crises exposes us to situations that we have never experienced before, which also requires actions never taken before. The great challenge is to adapt to the new context, without leaving behind essential values. Strong leaders recognize that standard course of actions do not work in times like these and are committed to adapting and improvising.

With social isolation, the Pope now addresses all the faithful online: he celebrates Mass daily in the small chapel inside his residence or gives speeches at his private library. And even without the presence of the public, he maintains some rituals: he goes out to the window of the Apostolic Palace, in the Vatican, and blesses the completely empty St. Peter’s Square. Even in the midst of so many changes, what is essential is preserved.

Maintain the motivation to move forward

The attitude of great leaders helps us to advance through the crisis: when they manage to transmit messages of hope, resilience and motivation, it becomes possible to see beyond the difficulties. At Easter, Pope Francis encouraged the faithful: “Tonight we have acquired a fundamental right that can never be taken away from us: the right to hope,” he said.

This unfolds for the reality of organizations and companies. It is up to the leaders to convey confidence that they will find a way to the difficult situation, while showing that they recognize the difficulties and being transparent in the ways in which they choose to deal with them.

Create unity towards the goal

In his pronouncements, the Pope calls for unity in favor of overcoming the pandemic, suggesting that countries should stop spending resources on any issue that is not a priority: “It is not the time to continue to manufacture and traffic weapons, wasting large amount of resources that should be used to treat people and save lives “, he defends. Good leaders give people a sense of purpose and demand that individuals act in the service of a common goal. In the context of companies, they give guidance to their team, reminding them why their work is even more important at this time.

During any crisis, there are many questions and few answers. The leaders who stand out are those who recognize the difficulties and adopt an innovative mentality capable of uniting people, learning and adapting course of action promptly to overcome each new situation faced. The world has faced many crises, each with its own particularities, and we know that the crises we are experiencing now due to the COVID-19 pandemia will pass. But the lessons will remain and will have significant impacts on the trajectories of people and organizations.