Name: Chris Miller

Title: Consultant, Emergency and Business Continuity Manager

Organisation: B4Crisis

I work with low and middle income countries to strengthen their health emergency management. Learning from the COVID pandemic and preparing for the next pandemic/s.

Thank you to the 2,000 leaders who’ve generously done the 7 Questions on Leadership!

I hope Chris's answers will encourage you in your leadership journey. Enjoy!

Cheers,

Jonno White

1. What have you found most challenging as a leader?

Time to work on myself and with my team/s

2. How did you become a leader? Can you please briefly tell the story?

As an emergency manager/responder, then a Police Officer, you become an instant leader, in my case at a very young age.

3. How do you structure your work days from waking up to going to sleep?

Try to work for an hour or 2 before breakfast, then work again to lunchtime, then slide in some exercise time, and back to work in the evenings. I have a global business where MicroSoft Teams and Zooms tend to be scheduled in the mornings or evenings, my time.

4. What's a recent leadership lesson you've learned for the first time or been reminded of?

It is your job as a leader to develop your people. Engineer opportunities for them, when you have discussed and understood what opportunities they are seeking.

5. What's one book that has had a profound impact on your leadership so far? Can you please briefly tell the story of how that book impacted your leadership?

The Gray Rhino: How to Recognize and Act on the Obvious Dangers We Ignore (2016) Michele Wucker, then her follow up book, You Are What You Risk: The New Art and Science of Navigating an Uncertain World (2021). Chinese President Xi is also a fan. Understanding gray rhinos meant, I knew the COVID pandemic was coming. When and what exactly was less certain before it emerged. The lessons of history the recent pandemic was overdue. More leaders could and should have prepared rather than being endlessly playing catch up, often badly.

6. If you could only give one piece of advice to a young leader, what would you say to them?

Say yes, more! Step back from the Imposter Syndrome. I serves you badly and narrows your opportunities.

7. What is one meaningful story that comes to mind from your time as a leader, so far?

So many to chose from. When the then Chief Medical Officer of Australia said: "We are not planning for IF, but WHEN!" the next pandemic strikes. The clock of planning was pushed along by his wise advice. He was so right, and encouraged more of his leaders to inspire other leaders to share this wisdom and get planning NOW!