“We were somehow all victimised by the pandemic”
EULAR president-elect, Prof. Daniel Aletaha, Austria
HP What has been the most important lesson you’ve learnt about leadership?
DA That leadership is about understanding the needs of others to achieve a common goal.
HP When were you at your lowest ebb during the pandemic?
DA At the very beginning, when all our social lives had been disrupted and we had not yet had the time to think about our coping strategies.
HP What were your daily coping mechanisms?
DA Intensive interaction with the team, even though this was done virtually.
HP During the pandemic it has been difficult not to point the finger when things go wrong, what’s your accountability strategy as a leader?
DA We were somehow all victimised by the pandemic, personally, professionally, and socially. (My strategy was) about understanding that it is not anybody's fault, that all of us are feeling upset and 'sitting in the same boat'. That's better than holding others accountable for something that is beyond our immediate control. I also believe that the rapidity of the onset put very hard pressure on politics, while there was little evidence at the time about what the right approach would be.
HP When you look back on the last 20 months, what makes you most proud?
DA As a rheumatologist, I must say it makes me proud that we – as a speciality that has no immediate connection to Covid (like for example, pulmo or infectious disease) – were able to give continued and unbroken support to those without Covid. While it was so important to engage in the fight against the pandemic, I think it makes me proud that we did not forget those suffering from illnesses unrelated to Covid.
HP What did you learn about your own leadership style?
DA I learned how important it is to not only exchange thoughts and fears, but also know that you can rely on each other.
HP Did you make any changes to how you manage your team and if so what were they?
DA The interaction with and among the team – now after the major impact of the pandemic – is perceivably more intense than before.
HP What would you say to other leaders who are struggling in their role?
DA I am humble enough not to give advice to my peers, but one thing I definitely learned is that leadership by support and compassion – even if hard decisions need to be made, and not everyone is happy – is a strategy that keeps everyone together in times of crises.
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