A leader needs to be prepared to be available. That means not overbooking themselves with meetings, burning out, and being unable to think creatively. To author and columnist Tom Peters, empathy is the most important skill a leader can have.In May 1986, Tom wrote about having only five levels of management, even in big multinationals. In ‘88, he wrote Stuff the Bureaucrats, Embrace the Customer, Listen to the Workers, and since the ‘90s has been speaking on the importance of having women in leadership positions.Tom’s COVID-19 Leadership SevenBe kindBe caringBe patientBe forgivingBe presentBe positiveWalk in the other person's shoesLinksConnect with Tom on LinkedInTom Peters’ Compact Guide to ExcellenceLeadership the Hard Way, by Dov Frohman and Robert HowardWhat Google learned from its quest to build the perfect teamThe Customer Comes Second: Put Your People First and Watch 'em Kick Butt, by Hal Rosenbluth and Diane McFerrin PetersResume vs eulogy virtuesKindness in Leadership, edited by Gay Haskins, Mike Thomas, and Lalit Johri