When a crisis arises, something has gone wrong.
The last post was about collecting the data. Once you have collected all of the data, the most important thing to do with the data is to revisit the original vision.
You as the leader must set a crisis management plan. When you revisit your vision you’ll be able to take the next most logical steps.
1. Communicate. Communicate. Communicate. All communication should refect the original vision and purpose of your company – no matter who you are communicating with.
2. Select a crisis management team. Get a cross section of people who can help analyze all data from different view points. Getting people to the table who can ask questions from different disciplines will maximize effectiveness. Help to empower your team.
3. Partner. Select an outside agency to help you begin to look at possible solutions. It is difficult to make great decisions when you try to manage a crisis from within without outside input.
Crisis comes about when an unpleasant occurrence comes as a surprise. Rarely is this surprise the responsibility of one person. There are usually layers of problems that need to be dealt with. While most crisis management is dealt with in the strategic planning process in crisis preparedness, rarely is every contingency covered – and the root cause is not always obvious.
Great leaders, along with their crisis management team and their partners, will be able to move towards resolution and will be able to reveal what learning happened in the face of crisis. Remembering your vision, remember how and why you are doing what you do, how and why your company does what it does and communicating that vision throughout the crisis management process with bring credibility to you as a leader.
Leah Henderson
President, Leah Henderson & Associates
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