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Leadership Through Crisis

SpeakerS:

Shaila Manyam, Executive Vice-President & Managing Director, Burson
Gen. Andrew P. Poppas, Commanding General, U.S Army Forces Command
Arun Gupta, CEO & Board Member, Noble Reach Foundation
Karthik Ramanna, Professor of Business and Public Policy at the University of Oxford’s Blavatnik School of Government; Co-Founder, E-Liability Institute

“Listening is probably the most important leadership tool that we should keep in mind.” Shaila Manyam
“If you are a values-based organization and you're a values-based leader, you have to live that life, and that's going to set the example for all to follow.” Gen Andrew P. Poppas
“If you do create a risk structure where every time you make a mistake you're going to be penalized, what you're going to do is quickly create an organization that's going to be playing not to lose.” Arun Gupta
“But if you have a narrow, well-defined set of goals, then you can deliver on that, and then that becomes the basis for the next round of commitments.” Karthik Ramanna

Key takeaways:

  • Leadership in a poly-crisis world: The current global landscape demands leaders who can navigate multiple interconnected crises (e.g., elections, climate, economic instability) simultaneously with clarity and composure.
  • Building trust in leadership: Trust is essential for effective leadership and must be cultivated well before a crisis through shared experiences, values-based training, and open communication.
  • The importance of resilience and adaptability: Leaders must create environments where failure is part of the learning process, fostering resilience and encouraging innovation to address complex challenges.
  • Interdisciplinary and empathetic leadership: Bridging divides across sectors and viewpoints is crucial for solving large-scale problems and fostering societal trust.
  • Optimism and values-based leadership: Optimism and adherence to core values inspire teams, foster collaboration, and provide a clear direction during crises.
  • The role of preparation and simulated scenarios: Training through life-like simulations builds confidence and preparedness in leaders to address real-world challenges effectively.

Action items:

  • Strengthen leadership training programs: Incorporate values-based learning and realistic crisis simulations into leadership development curricula to prepare for high-stakes situations.
  • Foster collaborative and interdisciplinary efforts: Encourage partnerships between public, private, and social sectors to address complex global challenges effectively.
  • Cultivate a culture of learning from failure: Establish safe environments where leaders and teams can experiment, fail, and iterate without fear of penalties, encouraging innovative problem-solving.
  • Emphasize trust-building initiatives: Prioritize trust-building across all levels of leadership through transparency, clear communication, and consistent values-driven actions.
  • Promote optimism in leadership practices: Train leaders to project optimism and a clear vision for the future, inspiring confidence in their teams and stakeholders.
  • Engage in active listening: Leaders should actively listen to diverse constituents and team members to better understand their needs and perspectives, ensuring inclusive decision-making.
  • Prepare for the next generation of leaders: Equip young leaders with entrepreneurial mindsets, interdisciplinary knowledge, and adaptability to navigate an unpredictable future.
  • Strengthen crisis communication skills: Provide leaders with tools and training to communicate effectively during crises, ensuring clarity and building confidence among stakeholders.

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