7 Lessons for Leading in a Crisis

It is difficult to be optimistic in a crisis, to look for opportunities and shed that feeling of doom and gloom. The main lesson in a book written at the beginning of our current economic crisis by Harvard Business School professor Bill George, 7 Lessons for Leading in Crisis, is exactly that:
See crisis as a chance to develop and enhance your leadership skills.

Bill George is a Professor of Management Practice at HBS and the former chairman and CEO of Medtronic. He states: "Crises offer rare opportunities to make major changes in an organization because they lessen the resistance that exists in good times."

Another important conclusion is that "Leaders must be willing to ask for help. They should rely on a mentor, an internal management team, and an external support group” (like TEC). “No one can be an effective leader in a crisis by attempting to go it alone. Leaders must be the first to recognize this reality and plan accordingly."

The seven leadership lessons include:
1. Face reality, starting with yourself, and rethink your company strategy.
2. Don't be Atlas; get the world off your shoulders and shed your weaknesses.
3. Dig deep for the root cause and reshape your company to play to your strengths.
4. Get ready for the long haul and make vital investments in the future.
5. Keep your people focused on winning.
6. You're in the spotlight: follow your True North and create your company’s image as an industry leader.
7. Go on offense: focus on winning now and develop rigorous execution plans.

Click here for the complete article