1. Be clear on where you are now 

Understand the situation at hand. Do a detailed diagnostic 

Rely on facts and figures. Don´t make assumptions and 

don´t jump to premature conclusions without hard data. 

Stay calm

2. Have a Strategy and Plan in Place and take action 

Develop a cohesive, decisive, and consistent strategy with smart tasks and take action

Install clear procedures and mechanisms to be able of documenting and following through. 

Assess constantly. If action isn’t right , adjust and take action again!

3. Innovate and Experiment

Ensure that there is room that people are empowered to test and experiment by thinking outside of the box and being able to potentially come up with unexpected and more effective solutions.

4. Be Empathetic and Positive: 

Put yourself in the other persons shoes.

Take concerns of others serious. show empathy, ask for comments, ideas, and refer back to your strategy and plan so all are aligned .

Exhibit an overall positive attitude without downplaying any concerns or challenges. 

5. Create a safe Environment: 

Physically (by taking all required precautions), and equally important, also emotionally and psychologically. 

It´s crucial to establish and maintain an atmosphere of trust. 

People should be encouraged to come forward to speak up and tell the truth. Only then critical information can be shared and discussed.

6. Over-communicate: 

Regularly, transparently, and with consistent messages. Inform about latest updates in a transparent, mindful, and non-confusing manner. 

Manage expectations. You need to be able to convey the seriousness and the potential impact of the crisis without creating panic.

7. Collaborate: 

Great things are happening when we work together by leveraging experience, know-how, and resources across borders and other boundaries. 

Crisis times are an opportunity to knock down walls and antiquated thinking in silos.

8. Be prepared: 

The next similar challenge will come. It´s not so much a question of “if”, but rather of “when?” 

With a sound strategy and plan in place, with executional excellence, the willingness to collaborate and learn, and by acting in a socially responsible and caring manner, we can and will overcome any challenge!  

Inspired by https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreasvonderheydt