Crisis Leadership

The crisis reponse is a very vital time in any disaster. During that time you make many fast decisions and do whatever you can to meet the needs. The tempo and tone are set for the rest of the effort. If you loose momentum at this point, you will not be able to gain it back.

The leader in a crisis is often the one who is willing to make decisions. People are looking around for someone to give them direction. It is often a time that magnifies leadership (or the lack thereof) for those in leadership positions.

Two of the most commmon leadership killers are the fear of making a bad decisons or the need to have all the information.

Fear is a reality for every leader, but how you respond to it makes the difference. Bad decisions are also a reality for every leader, and again, how you respond makes the difference.
Recognizing that both of these are there, but choosing to give it your best attempt will enable you to overcome. If you blow it, admit it and keep going. In a crisis, there is no time to throw a pity party and get embarassed.

The other leadership killer is the need for all the information. While these types are trying to gather info, people are ready to move ahead. Look around and find something for them to do! Get your people out there in any way you can, and have them come back and tell you what they saw, heard, learned and felt. With each returning report, you will have better information for your next action.

During Katrina, there were times that I knew what was happening in areas before any media reports came from there. We were in Waveland and other devastated places days before the media. How did we know to go there? With each person that came back, we had a better idea about where the impact was greatest, and sent supplies.