When a Crisis Hits Part 2

When a crisis hits an organization we have several options available to us. Unfortunately one of the favorite methods of dealing with a crisis is to take the "Circle the Wagons" approach. Instead of looking for advice from people who have faced the crisis, we turn inward and try to figure out the crisis for ourselves. However one of the reasons we face a crisis is we have already turned inward mentally and that has led to the problem becoming a crisis. 

When we take the circle the wagons approach we are in danger of moving into a survival mode rather than moving forward out of the crisis. In other words we become our own worst enemy by refusing to seek out advice, outside help and visionary planning. 

Over the last 3 years I have watched one organization face a crisis and they did anything but circle the wagons. Instead of moving into survival mode they pushed forward with a focus on prayer, visionary leadership and empowering he team to help navigate the crisis. As a  result this organization is moving out of the crisis mode and is a catching the momentum of new growth and expansion. To move out of a crisis mode takes a unique leadership skill, that I am afraid many organizations simply do not process, so for those organizations, the circle the wagons approach seems best when in reality this is a recipe or disaster.  

Next time we will look at other approaches to dealing with a crisis.