Question

Choose two business or political leaders, one who has used the Mirror and Window correctly in dealing with the COVID-19 crisis and one who has used them incorrectly and justify your answers.

Answer 1

Mirror and Window refer to how a person deals with a situation. While in front of the window, a person can see what others are doing (a leader who works for others) whereas in front of a mirror, a person can see only himself (a leader looking for his own benefits in this crisis)

Germany's chancellor Angela Merkel showed how to use the Window method and urged her countrymen to follow tough restrictions as she issued a warning that over 70% of the german population would be infected with the virus. This might have been considered an exaggeration at that point but it propelled the Germans to conduct extensive testing while the rest of Europe was taking it on a lighter note. The testing and approach helped germans in controlling the pandemic to a large extent.

Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, on the other hand, showed the mirror approach. While the rest of the world was issuing warnings to stay home and maintaining social distance, the president was conducting political rallies with thousands of supporters. The president was even seen kissing his supporters even though his own health ministry was issuing statements to maintain social distance.

Both leaders show how different approach a leader can adopt in dealing with a crisis.