by Richard Martin
I’m currently updating a course on crisis and emergency leadership for a government client. It’s a great opportunity to revisit the responsibilities of leaders BEFORE a crisis strikes.
Research shows that most crises have internal causes (see the United Airlines incident, and now the one that has just occurred on an American Airlines flight); they are therefore predictable and can be prevented and mitigated through proper vigilance, preparation, and robustness.
Here are 10 techniques and principles you can apply as an organizational leader to prevent or better prepare for a crisis, before one strikes.
- Mobilize your team by anticipating and identifying potential crises before they strike.
- Implement rational risk management and prevention/mitigation measures.
- Establish priorities for prevention and preparation on an ongoing basis.
- Create robust contingency plans to deal with the most likely and most dangerous situations you can envisage.
- Implement sound policies and procedures for the most likely crisis situations and events.
- Prepare yourself and your team through diligent practice and training.
- Employ trusted advisors and associates and ensure they are well qualified and working as a team.
- Build as flexible and resilient an organization as possible within the constraints of time and resources.
- Work on becoming more self-aware as a leader and seek to acquire the competencies to lead in a crisis.
- Develop the support structures and welfare systems you will need to maintain morale, unity and cohesion if a crisis should occur.
And with that, go forth and lead!
New Testimonial
“Richard has been instrumental in drawing on my hard-won experience and ideas to turn them into marketable intellectual property and products. His disciplined, systematic approach has already led to several significant accomplishments for me. Whether you’re just starting out as an entrepreneur, or working to get the next level, Richard can boost your productivity and organizational effectiveness. Be forewarned, though. There is no magic formula, just systematic thinking, disciplined execution, and… Richard Martin.”
Caroline Salette, Owner and President, RE/MAX Royal Jordan Inc. and Salette Group Inc.
Richard Martin’s Business Readiness Process:
- Ensure vigilance through situational awareness.
- Do preliminary assessment of tasks and time.
- Activate organization or team.
- Conduct reconnaissance.
- Do detailed situational estimate.
- Conduct wargame and decide on optimal course(s) of action.
- Perform risk management and contingency planning.
- Communicate plan and issue direction.
- Build organizational robustness.
- Ensure operational continuity.
- Lead and control execution.
- Assess performance.
Contact me to apply the whole thing–or just a piece, as needed–to improve your strategy, your readiness… and your results!
Did you know that an infantry battalion only needs about 3 to 4 hours of prep and planning time to be battle ready? What are you waiting for to get the same benefits for your outfit?
Why Sunday and What Does “Stand To” Mean?
Sunday? I want you to get my insights and advice first and fast, so you can prepare and up your readiness and results before others even know what’s happening!
And Stand To? It’s the order used in the military to get forces to man the parapets and be in a heightened state of situational awareness and, yes, readiness, so they can face any threat or undertake any mission.
My name is Richard Martin and I’m an expert on applying readiness principles to position companies and leaders to grow and thrive by shaping and exploiting change and opportunity, instead of just passively succumbing to uncertainty and risk.
© 2017 Alcera Consulting Inc. This article may be used for non-commercial use with proper attribution.
Discover more from Exploiting Change
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
