Name: How to lead in a crisis
Uploaded: 2020-10-26T14:38:39Z
Duration: 4 min 33 s
Description: Humility, transparency and urgency are the keys to successfully steering an organization -- big or small -- through the challenges that come your way. Leadership expert Amy C. Edmondson provides clear advice and examples to help any leader rise to the occasion.

Humility, transparency and urgency are the keys to successfully steering an organization -- big or small -- through the challenges that come your way. Leadership expert Amy C. Edmondson provides clear advice and examples to help any leader rise to the occasion.

How to lead in a crisis

Great leaders do not cling to old playbooks when faced with unprecedented upheaval. In moments like the pandemic, clear communication and honest admission of uncertainty built trust, as when Delta Airlines lost over $100 million a day but kept employees informed. Decisive action, even without all the facts, saved lives in New Zealand and anchored communities through chaos. Purpose and values, not rigid plans, guide people through the unknown.

True Leadership in Crisis Means Humility Over Certainty

True leadership in crisis is not about certainty but about honesty and swift, values-driven action. When Delta Airlines began losing over a hundred million dollars a day during the pandemic, its CEO increased transparency with employees despite not having clear answers. New Zealand’s leader imposed a nationwide lockdown early, adapting her strategy as new information emerged. People place their trust in leaders who admit what they do not know, act urgently, and keep their core values clear.