During those initial phased re-openings, he paid extraordinary
attention to detail. In just one example, DeSantis journeyed to
Orlando to speak with barber shop and hair salon owners to
understand their disinfection techniques and how they executed
their services. Taking extra time like that to meet business owners
allowed his administration to devise a practical plan permitting the
re-opening of shops in this category earlier than anticipated.
DeSantis is a proponent of pro-business, small government. With the
exception of the month-long shutdown in April, he remained true to
that stance by leaving the openings and closures of businesses and
beaches to local governments. The goal was to spread empowerment
and help keep Florida’s economy strong.
Throughout this unparalleled ordeal, despite all the flipflopping and double-talking politicians, DeSantis kept his
moral (and fiscally conservative) compass set due North. With eyes wide open he remained intent on getting us
to the other side.
In an October 2020 interview with radio talk show host Drew Steele, DeSantis stated, “I’ve focused a lot on
making sure society continues to function. I think you fight a pandemic better from that posture than if society is
in the fetal position.” That’s the sign of a fearlessly authentic leader.
A Year That Will Live in Infamy
The year 2020 will go down in history as one that featured a virulent pandemic, political divisions, and explosive
racial tensions. It was a year when many who tried to help were demeaned, oftentimes because they were on the
other side of the aisle.
Governor DeSantis never bent to the denigrations. He consulted with the experts, took the distinctive needs of
this state into consideration, traveled to D.C. to remain as proactive and informed as possible, and executed
plans accordingly. He and his staff worked tirelessly to protect our communities.
In good times and in bad, people need to trust their
leaders and understand that pleasing everyone is an
impossible task. Managing the needs of the many
includes looking at the entire picture as well as the
details. No solution is ever ideal.
Anyone who’s ever been in charge of people or a
project knows you can only do the very best you can.
If that leaves some critics to criticize, that’s the cost
of leadership. It’s easy to disparage elected officials if
you’ve never been in that position or don’t understand
what it’s like to carry such a burden, especially in a
year rife with conflict over politics and prejudice, plus a
pandemic.
Brent Gleeson, a contributor to Forbes Magazine, describes it this way, “A great leader possesses a clear vision,
is courageous, has integrity, honesty, humility and clear focus. Great leaders help people reach their goals, are
not afraid to hire people that might be better than them and take pride in the accomplishments of those they
help along the way.”
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