As I sit in my home office in the heart of Valencia, the echoes of reconstruction hum through the airโmuddy cars and boots, constant ambulances, sounds of machinery and voices uniting to rebuild what nature and negligence have torn apart. The recent DANA ย left Valencia battered, homes destroyed, businesses in ruins, and, heartbreakingly, hundreds of lives lost. These werenโt just numbersโthey were parents, children, and neighbors.
But alongside this overwhelming loss, another tragedy looms large: the glaring failure of leadership to act when it mattered most. The rain was relentless, but so was the lack of urgency, empathy, and transparency from those entrusted to safeguard the community.
A Lesson in Leadership Failure
Crisis reveals true leadershipโor its absence. In Valencia, we saw hollow words from press conferences, while people stood waist-deep in water. Help came late or not at all, leaving communities stranded, frightened, and questioning the role of their leaders.
Leadership is not about a title or position; itโs about action. Itโs about listening, communicating transparently, and responding with speed and humanity. When leaders fail to act in these ways, trust erodes, and the burden shifts unfairly to the people.
The Resilience of Community
Yet, even as leadership faltered, Valenciaโs spirit remained unbroken. I witnessed neighbors becoming first responders, young people organizing aid, and strangers sharing their homes. In the chaos, the heart of our city shone brighter than ever.
One story that left me speechless involved teenagers delivering hot meals to elderly residents trapped in their homes. Without training or resources, these young individuals embodied leadership far more authentically than the officials tasked with protecting us.
It Takes a VillageโBut It Shouldnโt Have To
The DANA proved the power of community. However, this solidarity is not a justification for institutional failure. Communities shouldnโt have to shoulder the load when systems crumble. This is where the real work beginsโdemanding accountability and rebuilding trust.
A Call for Better Leadership
Valencia deserves leaders who prepare for crises, prioritize people over politics, and communicate transparently. This is not just about rebuilding roads and homes but about rethinking governance.
For leaders everywhere, Valencia stands as both a warning and a lesson. The questions we must ask:
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Are you leading with empathy, urgency, and action?
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Are you listening to those you serve?
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