Crises and emergencies can teach us a lot about solving long-term problems. They force us to try innovative ideas as a team. Apparently, we all find it easier to come up with quick solutions under high pressure. Let’s harness the power of a crisis and change the future through effective crisis management.
Table of Contents
How effective crisis management secures the future of the company
Currently, I am intensively involved in crisis management, business continuity management and risk management in my professional life. In the process, I have noticed the following: It pays to maintain the mode and momentum of emergencies eventually.
Only then, do we learn to solve long-term problems and act effectively. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have felt like we are facing a never-ending series of crises. You know the supply chain disruption that resulted in inflation; then when higher energy prices (energy crisis) and other upheavals are added to the mix, the demands on leaders are higher than ever and everything is suddenly talking about crisis management, risk management, business continuity management and more.
We are pulled in all directions and expected to solve problems in this difficult environment, and finally, please generate growth. Do you know this dilemma? Maybe you think I am crazy now, but meanwhile I like emergencies. I have discovered their impact and potential and have come to the realization that there is something good about them. They force us to solve short-term problems related to supply, energy, business continuity, with a lot of innovative energy and the greatest possible efficiency.
From initial excitement and doubts to goal-oriented actions and solutions
First, you may realize that complex problems sometimes require simple solutions. The only thing you need to do for this is to activate your teams. Start by providing assistance in the various disciplines that need support.
So, the first step is to prioritize action steps over meticulous planning. Emergencies force us to solve short-term problems with great energy and efficiency. Emergencies allow us to try new ways of doing things. It’s always outstanding what unique yet simple solution ideas the team comes up with. Have you ever experienced the innovative problem-solving power of your team during a crisis? It seems that under high pressure, we can come up with ideas that are not even thought of in regular operations.
Overall, my recent experience is that emergencies make you try short-term solutions that, if they work, you can apply to bigger problems. There’s a lot more to it than just dealing with an emergency in the short term. It’s important to bring the momentum of emergencies into the long-term implementation of business challenges. It’s about finding solutions. Keep both feet on the ground, work with leaders who are right there on the ground and can get to the root of the problems. To achieve this, however, you must experience the situation on the ground.
Be there for your team. Experience, feel, suffer and internalize the current situation. You will see, suddenly it bubbles over with simple, new, pragmatic and innovative solutions. And if you approach this skillfully, it will not only relax the emergency moment. In the long term, it leads to solid and often more cost-effective solutions.
Successful crisis management only works as a team
Different people from different verticals united strive in an interdisciplinary way to find short-term solutions and discover long-term solution models. I believe in flat structures, not gigantic pyramidal structures. If the organization is pyramidal and one person stands lonely at the top, we don’t move anything. Why? Because everyone is waiting for the one instead of tackling challenges as a team.
When structures are flatter, it means that responsibility can be shared. The more people in charge there are in the different areas, the more efficiently they can work with their small and agile teams. No time is wasted because no one has to wait for the lone person at the top of the pyramid. This governance leads to faster decisions and, as a result, solutions.
Prevent crises
Crises can affect all companies. Only those who have a crisis management system ready to go can act immediately. As an external consultant, I can support you both in prevention and during an acute crisis. As you have read in the article, I see crises as a source to find long-term solutions. Even for problems that seem to be unsolvable. Even if crisis management during an emergency is only used to cope with it, crises are a great opportunity. They create space for new and innovative ideas and solutions. Make the best out of a crisis. I would be happy to advise you – contact me right away.
Have you also learned to appreciate crises/emergencies?
EN 
DE