Facing a Storm of Challenges, SBY: Leaders Must Remain Calm, Honest, and Have a Clear Direction

The 6th President of the Republic of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY), has emphasised the importance of maintaining public trust when facing current global uncertainties. SBY stated that the world is entering an era of uncertainty characterised by various global challenges, ranging from increasing geopolitical rivalries and wars and conflicts in various regions to changes in global supply chains.

“Strong leadership is about maintaining public trust and creating opportunities amidst various disruptions,” SBY said at The 2026 Asia Grassroots Forum by Amartha in Jakarta on Thursday.

Drawing from his experience leading Indonesia through periods of crisis and transition—including the impacts of the 1997-1998 Asian financial crisis, the 2004 Aceh tsunami, and the 2008 global financial crisis—SBY outlined several leadership principles required amidst uncertainty. According to him, leaders must remain calm when facing difficult situations, as panic can weaken institutions.

“Fear spreads quickly during difficult times. Panic weakens institutions. A leader must remain calm, honest, and have a clear direction,” he remarked.

Furthermore, he stated that leaders must be able to combine pragmatism with principle. In an increasingly complex world, he believes that a nation must be adaptive and realistic, yet remain anchored to its fundamental values. He also emphasised the importance of long-term vision in leadership, noting that human resource development, institutional reform, climate resilience, and innovation cannot be achieved in a short period.

Additionally, SBY assessed that leadership must be inclusive so that the benefits of development can be widely felt by the community. “Growth that is only enjoyed by a small group of people will ultimately lead to instability,” he said.