If we were to describe the most difficult leadership situation imaginable, it might read something like this: An enormous earthquake rocks a nation, then a nasty tsunami swamps sections of the country and cripples several nuclear reactors, and then radiation seeps into the atmosphere. Oh, and the general population, while being amazingly orderly, is in a bit of a panic. What to do, what to do? The recommended course of action for the leader would be to address the physical needs of the situation and then to communicate to the people and give them straight talk about the situation and your proposed actions. This recommended course of action, thankfully, is exactly what Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan has executed. Bravo! In the face of a horrific disaster, the Japanese leadership is projecting a calm demeanor, while educating the populace about the tragedies that have occurred and the hazards and risks that lay ahead. 

My heart goes out to the Japanese people, as well as others impacted by this heart-wrenching earthquake/tsunami. My hat goes off to the intelligent, involved leaders guiding an Asian nation and its people through the fog of a tragedy.