Crisis Management 101
In my first job out of college, I worked in the public relations department of an advertising agency. During that tenure, I had the opportunity to be a member of several crisis management communications teams in preparation for man-made disaster events such as oil spill recoveries in the Gulf of Mexico.
One of our clients was Marine Spill Response Corporation, a not-for-profit, U.S. Coast Guard-classified, oil spill removal organization that is privately funded to help petroleum transportation and energy industries address the problems caused by spills of oil and petroleum products on water.
We conducted drills, proactively to anticipate and negate the worst that might happen in challenging situations, far in advance of any events that might occur. Everything was simulated and exercised, down to the spontaneous beeper notices in the middle of the night. (Yes; it was a time when we all carried beepers instead of cell phones and used fax machines rather than emails to communicate!)
That training was an excellent lesson regarding the value of expeditious and thorough preparedness that I learned at an impressionable stage early in my career and have carried it with me ever since.
At this time when we are in the imminent battles of the COVID-19 war in the United States, is your company prepared for the ultimate endurance test? I’m not speaking of tactical action items from a day-to-day or even a month-to-month perspective.
What I am referencing is the foundational health of your organization that begins with the alignment of your company’s leadership team and resonates throughout each department, no matter the employee level. That can only be accomplished when your employees are engaged and valued for the diversity of strengths and experiences that each brings. It also requires that your leaders trust, are vulnerable and respect one another.
When times are challenging, do you know who from your team to lean on that will be the oracle to guide you through? Or does your company lead more through its weaknesses, fears and ultimately analysis paralysis than by its strengths?
As we navigate through this current crisis, now is the time to pay attention to those team members who solidly shine as harbingers from within. We will certainly overcome COVID-19 if we choose to keep functioning, then learn and adapt/pivot/morph towards the future.
In our pastor’s message this week, he referenced that the word “crisis” is derived from the Greek word “krisis”, meaning opportunity or turning point. A new norm in the global economy will surely occur as a derivative of this. However, this won’t be the last disaster our organizations encounter.
Once this emergency is over, what will you do to proactively prepare for the next krisis? Will you learn from your areas of most challenge this time to work and become stronger because of it?
The sustainability of our organizations and teams will require it. If you’d like to discuss this or other topics, then please contact me at dlandry@authentizity.com.
