All of us have faced a crisis at some time or another. It may be personal or professional, recent or in distant memory, but I guarantee you can remember just how stressful those do-or-die moments are. It’s even harder when others look to you for reassurance and solutions. So, how do leaders let cooler heads prevail when there’s a lot on the line?
It isn’t easy – but I have a few tips based on my own experience putting out proverbial fires. This is how I stay calm in a crisis and lead my team through to the other side.
10 Steps to Expertly Getting Through a Crisis
Step #1 – Understand your stress response.
Everyone has a different stress response. While these are natural reactions, they can cause trouble! So consider yourself – are you fight or flight? Freeze or appease? Work on controlling these responses and recognizing how they subconsciously impact your behavior. A “flight” person might try to avoid the problem, distract themselves with anything else, or deny the issue altogether. A “freeze” person may struggle to take decisive action. Know your natural inclinations and push against them to take rational, decisive action.
Step #2 – Practice emotional regulation.
True leaders maintain composure under pressure. By controlling our emotions, we project stability and confidence, which helps reassure our team. This can be tough when stressed, scared, or upset. That’s why we must practice healthy emotional management daily. Start by thinking about your feelings and exploring why you feel that way. Unpack your emotions. Increase your self-awareness. Practice mindfulness.
Step #3 – Assess the situation objectively.
Good leaders avoid jumping to conclusions. They assess the scope of the problem before making any decisions, gathering all relevant information, verifying it, and building a fuller picture of the situation. From there, they break down the problem into manageable parts, identifying which issues need immediate attention and which can wait.
Step #4 – Maintain quality communication.
You’re not in this crisis alone. People are alongside you, relying on you, and prepared to help. Great leaders communicate openly with their team, acknowledging the challenge but reframing it as an opportunity for problem-solving. They also recognize the value in putting heads together, often inviting input from their team and encouraging collaboration in finding solutions.
Step #5 – Delegate wisely.
Because you’re not in this alone, you don’t have to do it all yourself, either. Team effort! Delegate tasks based on the strengths of your team members. It gives others agency and ownership over solutions while also easing the burden on your shoulders.
Step #6 – Adopt a solution-oriented mindset.
Too many people play the blame game when a problem arises. I get it – there’s a lot of pressure to do it all right and to save face when we get it wrong. But no good comes from assigning blame and dwelling on the problem. Instead, focus on the solutions. You can’t change the past, but you can change the here and now.
Step #7 – Prepare contingency plans.
An old bit of advice says, “Expect the best, but prepare for the worst.” I think there’s truth in that. Foresight, safety nets, and contingency plans help leaders handle curveballs with grace and control. Have a plan B. Consider a plan C, too!
Step #8 – Work on your resilience.
Resilience is a difficult skill to cultivate. That’s because resilience isn’t born out of theory but from experience. The key here is your mindset. Do you see problems, failures, and setbacks as growth opportunities or black marks on your character, intelligence, or ability? Adopt that growth mindset. It allows you to see beyond the temporary stressors and crises you face.
Step #9 – Manage your stress well.
If you don’t handle stress well in your daily life, chances are you won’t handle it well in crisis mode. You must be at your best to handle stressful situations, so prioritize self-care through exercise, rest, or hobbies outside work. (I find running does wonders!) Nurture your personal support system. Seek advice or support from mentors, peers, or trusted colleagues when needed. Knowing you’re not alone in handling stress is crucial.
Step #10 – Lead with empathy.
You aren’t the only one impacted by these tense times. Great leaders recognize that stressful situations affect the team, too. In response, we should show empathy – offering support and understanding to help ease tensions. Part of our job is providing perspective, helping people stay grounded, and avoiding panic.
What lessons have you learned from crises in your life? Share your insights in the comments.