4 Lessons from the Ukrainian President

Over the past week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has had to evaluate, strategize and communicate the latest developments of the Russian invasion to his terrified and beleaguered nation.

Zelensky — a former comedian and actor who once played the Ukrainian president on a television show — has drawn effusive praise from leaders across the world for his poise and stability during the most tumultuous of periods for his nation.

But while our respective challenges should not be equated to those of a wartime president, Zelensky has utilized some important strategies that may have some relevance to our own leadership worlds.

1. Optics of Communication

In the days since the invasion, Zelensky has walked the streets of Kyiv, filming himself in videos urging Ukrainians to resist and not succumb to the temptation to flee.

He hasn’t released vague tweets with cliches of “keeping the faith” and “the need for optimism.” Instead, he has put to bed any speculation that he may have already left the country, while conveying that he fully comprehends the severity of the situation.

Zelensky has reminded us that it’s crucial to maintain realistic perspective while simultaneously conveying to our team members that we’re fully in tune with the gravity of what’s in front of us.

2. Empathy

Zelensky’s statements would fall on deaf ears if he were shooting videos from another country or an undisclosed location, but the fact he is in the streets gives him a level credibility and relatability with the public he’s trying to assuage.

Zelensky has acknowledged that he is Russia’s No. 1 target for assassination and has made it clear his family is No. 2. The fact he has been so transparent about this makes his words to Ukrainians all the more relatable. In essence, if the president can maintain a level of calm despite these threats, his followers are more likely do the same.

It isn’t just Ukrainians Zelensky has tried to appeal to, though. By calling for the ban of Russia from the United Nations Security Council, he has created a global cause and generated worldwide empathy for the plight of his nation.

During difficult times, we might benefit from first addressing the key concerns of our own team members and other relevant stakeholders — then finding the crucial commonalities to unite them.

3. Unity

Over the past ten days, Zelensky has offered terse and sobering words about the invasion. But while his statements have been tough, at no point have they been boastful or delusional.

“This is our land, our country, our children,” he said in a video posted Saturday. “And we will defend all of this.”

When we as leaders use words like “our” and “we” as opposed to “I” and “my,” we communicate to our teams that we stand with them as one and that their struggle is our own. Ineffective leaders are often caught up in themselves during perilous times, but the transcendent ones unite the group with their messaging and their word choices.

4. Realistic Encouragement

The most effective leaders find ways to provide glimmers of hope to their teams during the most desolate periods. Zelensky has promised to “protect independence” and has vowed “We will fight as long as it takes to liberate the country.” He hasn’t said it will be easy or made promises of victory in no time. But his pledges to fight, to resist and to protect are likely to resonate with just about all Ukrainians in the moment.

During trying times, it’s frequently wise to outline the many hardships while still providing realistic reasons for hope.

Zelensky has held office for just three years, putting behind a long-successful career as a comedian and TV personality to instead serve his nation. Though old clips of his appearances on the Ukrainian version of “Dancing With the Stars” may be making headlines and drawing social media clicks, it’s abundantly clear that he has uncovered motivational skills, charisma and a rare unification prowess that were perhaps untapped in the years before.

And, in just over a week, he’s given leaders crucial lessons in standing tall in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.