Celebrating Women In Leadership
I want to celebrate my wife. It was one year ago that COVID really started to change the way we lived in America. It is also about that time my wife, a small business owner (although as a non-profit, she reminds me the board owns it), had to begin to lead her customers (pre-school families), her staff (teachers and admins), and strategic partners through the new normal.
It is a story of courage, curiosity, flexibility, integrity, and strength. I wanted to share her story because she never would (add humble to the list).
Running a preschool of 120+ students and over a dozen staff in a rented and shared space is hard. Doing so in the pandemic proved to be too hard for many, but not for Kristin Couser.
Here are some highlights of her leadership story 2020/2021.
Through the fog, she created clarity and took decisive action.
When she decided to require masks (on the governor's recommendation), she took the heat from those who thought it was an overreaction.
When the super spike occurred, and she decided to close the school she communicated directly and confidently and took the heat from those who complained.
When she took fundraising virtual and encouraged virtual meetups of students and teachers, even turning our living room into a barn while hosting a few virtual sessions herself, she provided tech support to those less tech fluent and encouragement to the teachers.
When she decided to open up and run an entire school year with 50% capacity, she made it work even though it would cost the school financially. She put the children, families, and teachers who needed some normalcy ahead of profits. (It helped that the school, including previous leadership, has a history of fiscal responsibility).
And these are just the big decisions there were hundreds of smaller ones. Behind each of these moments were hours of contemplation, discussion, seeking wise counsel, and dealing with disagreements.
She took action and didn't complain
When she ran short of teachers, she stepped up and took on additional responsibilities in a classroom—at the same time, adding to her administrative load as well.
She devoted herself to learning
She learned the new government rules to open safely and to file for PPP for the school. She read the regulations to ensure she did not take advantage of or violate policy (integrity). She filed the paperwork and reconciled receipts. She followed up with overwhelmed bankers who didn’t return calls. She created budgets and forecasts. What if scenarios more than I care to count.
She cared for her communities
Yet, she still made it a priority to love on her students and staff. Where does she find the energy.
She formed partnerships (support relationships) with other schools and helped them through the process (while learning a thing or two as well). To help the community stay afloat.
She communicated with her board every step of the way and even had to replace board members at an already trying time.
She demonstrated leadership on so many levels professionally; while at home, we figured out virtual school, sharing a home office, adjusting a child from trauma to the trauma of COVID. She led our family equally as well as she led her business.
Not perfection, humble progress
When she messed up, she apologized; when she exceeded expectations, she remained silent. I rarely heard her complain (minus the occasional weak spot); she just prayed, discerned, and acted.
Our daughters have seen an example that a woman can do anything a man can do. Our sons have seen an example of what a strong woman looks like so they don’t settle for less, and I have seen an example of what leadership does in a crisis. I hope I live up to the example.
I could not be more humbled or proud of Kristin Couser, a wife, mother, friend, and professional for many to take an example from.
Note: Kristin wishes to make mention that many people played an equally important role in the success. Sharing credit is another wonderful quality of a leader.