This week, I have attended several webinars that provide information about surviving the COVID-19 crisis and what the world of work will look like in the coming months and years. Each webinar had advice on how to plan for the future in an unpredictable environment. I was reminded of an article I read called Six Mistakes Executives Make in Risk Management published in 2008 by the Harvard Business Review, written by Nassim Taleb, Daniel Goldstein, and Mark Spitznagel. In it, the authors talk about Black Swan events, which are impossible to predict and how we, as leaders, are making big decisions based on common misconceptions of risk.

I have, as I’m sure you have as well, noticed the strengths and weaknesses of our leaders throughout this crisis, both politically and within our organizations. It made me realize that leadership is not about knowing how to calculate risk and a cash flow projection, but about doing the right thing and feeling confident with those decisions.

 This very long preamble is my way of promoting our Values Based Leadership series starting this September and will be taught by Drs. Roberta Neault and Deirdre Pickerell. In it, existing and emergent leaders will learn how to build their learning and confidence to make the tough decisions that lie ahead, while at the same time leading by doing the right thing for yourself and your community.

ASPECT has developed this credentialed online course in response to demand from the social service sector. We have invested in it to offer high value learning for a fraction of the cost compared to other leadership courses. Each class starts at $150 for ASPECT members (slightly more for non-members) per week-long course, which includes online discussions, a live tutorial, and reflective learning supports. Further, these courses qualify for the BC Employer Training Grant – the intake for fall courses opens June 1 (Monday). 
 
If you are a leader within your organization with skills gaps or would like to see more leaders helping you navigate this pandemic world, I encourage you to sign up. As we progress through this Black Swan event we find ourselves in; it is now an excellent time to take advantage of government grants and upskill yourself and your workforce. 

Janet Morris-Reade
ASPECT CEO