9 Crisis Leadership Skills You Didn’t Know You Needed (But Absolutely Do)

Leading through crisis is like piloting a ship through stormy seas. Success depends on a complex toolkit of skills that go beyond traditional management. Here are nine critical competencies every Prepared Leader must master.

Sense-making is the compass, enabling leaders to interpret complex information and identify real threats. One company’s early detection of supply chain risks during the pandemic bought crucial time for preparation.

Perspective-taking is the lookout, incorporating diverse viewpoints to avoid blind spots. The commissioner of a sports league who consulted medical experts, players, and staff before making decisions exemplifies this skill.

InfluenceOrganizational agility empowers teams to adapt rapidly without bureaucratic delays. A company’s use of daily live video calls during COVID-19 flattened communication hierarchies and fostered unity.

Creativity fuels innovation, enabling novel solutions like isolation bubbles. Communication connects emotionally, providing reassurance and clarity. Risk-takingresilience nurtures strength and adaptability in people and systems. Finally, learning captures lessons to improve future responses.

These skills are interdependent and essential across all crisis phases, equipping leaders to navigate uncertainty with confidence and compassion.

Developing these skills requires deliberate practice, reflection, and cultural support. In upcoming blogs, we will explore decision-making under pressure, team building, and global crisis leadership, deepening your preparedness toolkit.