The Covid crisis taught David Farr the power and limits of leadership



[ad_1]

David Farr looked down at the empty parking lot and exploded. It was March 20, a cloudy day with a chill in the air. The coronavirus and lockdowns were halting the US economy, sending much of the US workforce home, including most of those in Ferguson, Missouri, home of Emerson Electric Co.

Mr. Farr, who had run the industrial conglomerate for two decades, was going nowhere. He told his assistant to summon the other eight members of the OCE – the office of the Director General.

“We have a business to run,” he growled, his voice echoing through the empty sixth floor.

Mr. Farr was not naive. The virus had torn China and Europe apart, disrupting Emerson’s operations. It was only a matter of time before it spread to the United States

But WWII was not won by hiding, he liked to tell people that, and generals can’t lead their armies from the bunker. He expected the employees to be present and he was not going to run the business from his home office.

[ad_2]

Source link