A Global Crisis Survey, conducted by PwC in 2021 involving 2,814 business leaders, 70% responded that the crisis had a major negative impact on their businesses. On the other hand, only 20% saw a positive impact on their organization. Effective management and crisis leadership were some of the potential ways in which organizations showed resilience to the looming crisis.

The real test of leadership does not occur when everything is sailing smoothly. Rather, leadership is oftentimes tested during a crisis. The way you behave and act during a crisis will establish your credentials as a good leader or a poor one.

To lead through crisis requires a different mindset. When leading through a crisis, most leaders are forced to think and behave in ways that feel unfamiliar. Whether it’s a technological, financial, natural, or health crisis — at work or in the community — crises demand that leaders take an emergency response plan and adapt it as new evidence as more information is received. A crisis can exert a high impact on human needs, emotions, and behaviors,” says Klann. “We may not be conscious of this, but our behaviors send messages to others about our own underlying needs and emotions.”

Crises don’t just test our tenacity, our resolve, how smart we are but they also test our character, too. You cannot control the crisis, but you can control how you respond to it.

Come along with me as we unpack nuggets on how to lead in crisis. Have a fantastic week.