What covid taught me about true leadership

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the U.S. government ordered the shutdown of nonessential businesses. Many didn’t survive. To make matters more difficult, federal and state eviction moratoriums left landlords across the country without rent from struggling tenants.

In January 2020, our landlord, “C.G.”—who we’ve been with since 2013—called with a message I’ll never forget:

“If your dojo revenue is down, don’t worry about the rent. Don’t take food off your family’s plate to pay me.”

 C.G. voluntarily waived our rent during the most uncertain months of the pandemic. His decision wasn’t based on a contract or obligation—it was grounded in empathy, long-term thinking, and a deep sense of community. Thanks to his leadership, we were able to:

•   Stay operational when so many others closed their doors 
•   Continue supporting our students and community
•   Emerge stronger from a once-in-a-generation crisis
 
What makes this story even more meaningful is that we never asked for relief. Despite the hardship, we continued paying rent—because it was the right thing to do. C.G. knew our commitment and responded with compassion, not because we defaulted, but because we didn’t. That mutual integrity strengthened our relationship in a way no contract ever could.
 
​Leadership Lessons:
C.G.’s actions are a blueprint for authentic leadership. True leaders look beyond profit and prioritize people. They understand that business success is deeply tied to community resilience. They lead with empathy, invest in long-term trust, and act with integrity—especially when no one’s watching.
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At Kinchen Martial Arts Academy, we strive to live by those same principles--because leadership isn’t just about what you do in good times. It’s about who you are in a crisis.
 
Leadership isn’t proven in prosperity—it’s revealed in adversity.

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