Leadership Signals in Crisis: What the National Guard in LA Is Really Telling Us
I wasn’t planning to write about this. So this is a quick briefing.
I got interested when the National Guard was sent into Los Angeles without the governor’s consent.
That hasn’t happened in decades. In fact, the last time was 1965—Selma, Alabama. Johnson overrode a segregationist governor to protect peaceful demonstrators.
The context today is different. But the leadership implications? They’re worth our attention.
I’ve advised executives through mergers, restructures, public blowback—high-stakes moments where what you do next shapes how you’re remembered. And more often than not, it’s not the decision itself, but how aligned, clear, and credible the response is.
That’s what makes this moment instructive.
Here’s what stands out.
First: misalignment is louder than intent.
If your stakeholders aren’t in sync—if your governor and federal teams aren’t speaking with one voice—then whatever you meant to signal gets lost. And in a crisis, silence isn’t neutral. It’s fuel.
Second: clarity beats control.
Too often, leaders try to reassert authority when what’s needed is shared understanding. If people don’t know why something is happening, they’ll assume. You’ve just handed them the pen.
Third: force doesn’t build trust.
Yes, you can manage the moment with compliance. But leadership is a long game. It’s built on narrative, meaning, and trust that you’re acting for the good—not just for control.
Fourth: every high-pressure move shapes a story.
Selma became a moment of moral courage. What will this one become? That depends not on what’s done, but how it’s explained—and how aligned the actors remain.
I’ve seen businesses implode over less.
I’ve also seen great leaders navigate similar moments with restraint, unity, and a strong sense of timing.
Leadership under pressure is always about more than solving a problem.
It’s about who you are while solving it.
We’re all watching this one.
Kevin
📬 Subscribe to Baker on Business — my weekly newsletter for solopreneurs, career renegades, and executives building real value in the age of AI.
💼 Own a business or lead at a high level? Book a free strategy call with me. We’ll talk about how to grow in your calling — and why that’s the real ROI. Zoom or Google Meet — your choice.
🚨 Limited offer: Join an Executive Advisory Growth Group . I charge a fraction of what others charge ($1,000+). More value. No fluff. Results that compound.
Kevin L. Baker helps leaders build legacies — not just résumés. He writes about leadership, tech, and the human spirit at the intersection of all three. He runs Executive Advisory peer groups, serves as a fractional executive across industries, advises startup founders, and teaches the next generation of thinkers and builders.
📍 X (Twitter): Click here 📍 Threads: @kevinbakerau 📍 Website: www.kevinbakerinc.com 📍 All my links: linktr.ee/Kevinbaker
Real strategies. Zero fluff. Results that compound.