Resignation of Isabel Lessard, Mayor of Chappais1, gives elected officials the opportunity and responsibility to think about the help they need before, during and after managing a crisis. Here are some foods for thought.
“And how are you Mr. Mayor?
“A little tired, but my house is dry, I can’t complain,” I replied every time I was asked the question. I kept my air of concentration intact, the attitude of a boss at work, caring for his people.
During the 2017 flood, I lied like this for weeks.
Photo by Martin Roy, LE Drought Archives
Maxime Pedneaud-Jobin, then mayor of Gatineau, speaks with a member of the Canadian Armed Forces in spring 2017.
In fact, I was stressed, almost always tired, often angry or sad, completely soaked in the suffering of people losing their homes, their memories, their life’s investments.
But I was right to lie. First, comparing the suffering of the victims to mine is insulting. I didn’t lose anything and yes, my house was dry. But that is not the point. My words and my face had to tell the victims: “Your city cares about you, elected officials and employees will not let you down. Never. »
To stay strong, I ventilated with my team in the office, which allowed me to remain calm and confident in front of citizens and the media. When the team felt that its support was no longer enough, my wife was called to help (she did not live in the same city as me, she stayed with me for a few days). She is omnipotent and everything is back in place.
In a crisis situation, leaders must show empathy, but also inspire confidence, reassure, and at the same time be strong. Great challenge.
Colette Roy Laroche, the former mayor of Lac-Mégantic, carried on her shoulders the sufferings of her city, which was plagued by industrial barbarism. Mayor Regis Labeaume tried to reunite his community after the massacre at the Quebec mosque. Last summer, during the wildfires, Chibukama Mayor Manon Cyr and dozens of elected officials remained at their posts without a break to protect their municipality.
Most elected officials are forever marked by these experiences.
I invite everyone interested in the difficulties of leadership in crisis situations to listen to the video produced at the request of the Union of Municipalities of Quebec (UMQ). Stephen Biro hosts a discussion between psychologist Rose-Marie Charest and myself2.
Allow me to offer some advice to elected officials, present and future.
Photo by Patrick Woodbury, Le Tried Archives
May 2017, floods in Catino
reference noh 1: Know yourself
Now ask yourself how you would react to extreme stress, whether with your loved ones or your municipal team. Talk about things that allow you to do your work without interruption (type of administrative support, presence of friends, sleep, presence or absence of children, etc.). Don’t be afraid to ask yourself directly if you can really play certain roles: for example, it is possible to find another spokesperson (the person in charge of emergency operations) or even to be with an elected official. More experience. If you want to enter municipal politics one day, do this exercise immediately.
reference noh 2: Don’t try to do everything
When the volunteers went to the places where the ditches were being built, the citizens sometimes asked me a question that was also a rebuke: “You don’t make sandbags, Mr. Mayor? » I answered directly and concluded: “If I pack the bags, there will be one more volunteer, but we will no longer have a mayor. There are decisions to be made and if I’m here, on the floor, I have to make sure we’re doing the right thing, and that’s my job. Thank you for what you did. »
reference noh 3: Take care of advisors too
We talk a lot about mayors in crisis situations, but the reality of councilors is also difficult. why Because of their helplessness. In a crisis situation, the mayor has clear responsibility and special powers. The Councilor has authority only when the Council is in session (this also applies to delegates). They should be involved in crisis management in some way. The City of Catino has a good guide on the role of elected officials in emergency situations. to read.
reference noh 4: Be kind to yourself
I find that elected officials don’t want to go to bed at night because they still have work to do. Sleep did not come because they were wondering if their decisions, their actions, their words that day were right. When we wake up in the morning, we feel ashamed for having slept so little because people are still suffering. Be kind to yourself, do your best, and people really do listen.
One last word. Chappais Meyer had the courage to speak publicly about what he had experienced. We must collectively take this into account. To all municipalities: fix your procedures immediately, the next crisis will come and your leaders will need help.
