3 Ways to Lead Through Crisis

Expert Talks are short audio learning files that your employees can listen to on any device, anytime, anywhere. Today, we explore the Expert Talk "How a Great Leader Reacts to a Crisis" narrated by Jason Allan Scott.

How a leader copes with crisis’ is the blueprint for the emotional setpoint of the organization. His or her calm demeanor halts urgency and reintroduces order back into chaos. The measure of a leader is often truly tested during a calamity and is evidenced by their ability to illuminate within disorientation. Jason Allan Scott teaches us the qualities of great leadership and how to successfully swim amidst the currents of mayhem.

Here are 3 tips for great leadership in crisis:

1. Stand back from the action

Leaders that can engage directly but still maintain their sense of perspective are the ones that help companies, not only survive but thrive. Effective leaders can often do more by standing back from the action. This is the precise reason team leaders in mountaineering expeditions often remain at base camp rather than hiking to the summit. If trouble strikes he or she can direct the response from the perspective that sees the mountain as a whole. As tempting as it is for executives to get into the business trenches, they must maintain clear oversight of the conditions that affect the summit. The leader's role is to holistically plan rather than physically man the different cogs of the organizational wheel.

2.Delegate responsibilities

One of the prime tasks in management is to carve order into chaotic situations. We do this by appropriately delegating responsibilities, choosing the right person to cover each post. Control is crucial in transition. A calculated division of tasks among subordinates is necessary to preserve the mission of the organization. Therefore, every division of labor that still remains in control needs to be well-operated. To allocate well, team leaders must remain methodical and business savvy. Before you get your hands dirty, take a moment to reflect on the company’s priorities. What's the new plan of action and who’s the right team for each strategic maneuver?

3. Keep loose

A senior executive can never afford to lose composure. It impacts the leader's ability to adapt rapidly. The hallmark of a crisis is its tendency to change quickly. Leaders must always be in a state in which they can objectively take in new information and redraft plans at the drop of a hat. They must listen carefully and consult with the frontline experts, who know what’s happening. Senior executives are often personality types that enjoy the rush of adrenaline from direct frontline action. However, leaders must resist this urge and counterintuitively act calmly from a place of contemplation. They must respond deliberately and swiftly, however, never impulsively or hurriedly. Remember to react is wrong, but to respond is right. Keep your cool.

These are just 3 of the many great tips (and one bonus secret!) to leading through crisis. Listen to the whole podcast free here.

Explore Bookboon’s Expert Talks audio series and soundscape your home office with feel-good podcasts. Bookboon Learning is a fully branded, plug-and-play online learning platform that covers subjects such as leadership, personal development, and management. We are currently focusing on topics such as 'Working from Home,' 'Staying Positive,' 'Managing Virtual Teams,' and 'Resilience.'

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