Zhike Lei Provides Insights on How Leaders Must Embrace the Three Paradoxical Truths of Crisis Management in C-Suite Quarterly

Every executive dreams of conquering an impossible task, especially during a global crisis. This is easier said than done. In high-pressure situations, executives and leaders lose their momentum and often misinterpret the three key steps to crisis management: act swiftly, prioritize survival, and spread positivity. Zhike Lei shares her expertise and research on how organizations, their leaders and employees, and teams adapt in complex, time-pressured scenarios.

In times of a crisis, acting fast requires rigorous pause and reflection. Zhike cautions leaders against the speed paradox, which far too often quickness is overemphasized and thinking or reflecting is downplayed. Leaders must act fast and with a strategy and intentional efforts.

In today’s crisis, leaders are grappling with the tensions between short-term gains and longer-term survival. Many organizations are cutting costs by letting go of people, which may lead to short-term gains but research has shown temporary staff cuts are replaced by stress from remaining employees and creates extra costs for the organization when they must rehire and retrain employees. Leaders must adopt a forward-thinking mindset that has survival and innovation front and center.

Lastly, savvy leaders must demonstrate care, empathy, support, and make their employees feel safe during uncertain times. However, positive emotional contagion of hope and compassion must be equally balanced with realism and discipline. During these hard times, leaders must be transparent and realistic with their employees, customers, and the public. Read more.