Leading When Stakes Are High
This October marks 10 years since Hurricane Matthew tore through coastal Georgia.
At The Ford Plantation, where I was Director of Communications, our golf course was underwater for nearly 48 hours. Trees had fallen across roads, on homes, and throughout the golf course.
In other words, this was not going to be a quick cleanup with a few rakes and a leaf blower.
My family and I had evacuated to Dublin, Georgia, partly for safety, but also because if was part of our communication plan.
My boss, Marc D. Ray, MCM, had been the general manager of a club in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina. He knew firsthand how quickly normal communication systems could disappear during a major storm. We decided I could be more useful away from the property, where I would have a better chance of staying connected and communicating with members.
At first, Marc and I communicated by email. Once the property lost electricity, we shifted to phone and text. And there was plenty to communicate.
Throughout the storm and recovery, we sent members regular updates about what was happening, what the team was doing, and what they could expect next. We also shared short stories about employees who were stepping up wherever they were needed.
And just 10 days after the storm, the roads had been cleared, tree companies had been secured to help members with their properties, and we were returning to something remarkably close to business as usual.
Looking back 10 years later, I see three leadership lessons that extend far beyond hurricanes.
Stay grounded. People take their cues from their leaders.
Clarify priorities. When everything feels urgent, help people focus on what matters most.
Decide decisively. You rarely have perfect information. Make the best decision you can, communicate it clearly, and adjust when needed.
After those 10 days, the Club and POA Boards sent a letter to every employee praising the extraordinary work of the team. Ten years later, I don’t remember every decision we made or every update we sent.
But I do remember how much leadership mattered while we were getting the work done. Presence matters most under pressure.