If it feels like the ground is constantly shifting beneath you, you’re not alone. These days, you’re not just managing a business, you’re navigating relentless waves of disruption that keep reshaping the demands of leadership. Headlines announce new crises by the minute, and I keep hearing from leaders about the daily challenges that shake our workplaces and strain our capacity to show up for our people.
When I think about what it means to lead through a crisis, I always return to Lieutenant General Russell Honoré commanding the military response to Hurricane Katrina in August 2005. Talk about a masterclass in steadfast leadership.
In the middle of alerting the public to coordinated evacuations, with another hurricane heading toward the Gulf Coast, reporters repeatedly pressed him about what went wrong with previous relief efforts. In a now famous press briefing, he replied, ‘Don’t get stuck on stupid. We’ve got to deal with what’s happening right now.’
It was a mic-drop moment. (You can watch it here if you have a minute.)
There was Honoré, shouldering the aftermath of one disaster while trying to prevent casualties from another, and he refused to get stuck in the blame game or paralyzed by past mistakes. Instead, he demonstrated exactly what leaders should do in a crisis, the ability to say: ‘Stop. Focus. What matters right now is taking care of our people and meeting our objectives - in that order.’
Today’s leaders face different storms – whether they’re environmental, technological, financial, or cultural. The circumstances differ, but the issue remains.
How do you lead effectively when the ground beneath you feels unstable?
What is a crisis?
A missed earnings target isn’t a crisis. A delayed product launch isn’t a crisis. This is just business. A crisis is when your team members can’t safely come to work because their homes are threatened by wildfires. It’s when half your workforce suddenly becomes full-time caregivers. It’s when your team is handling life-changing events while trying to stay on task.
The distinction is crucial because no amount of optimization or best practices could make things feel ‘normal’ again. You need to reframe how you show up for your people.
Use these four strategies to balance decisiveness and empathy, so your team thrives no matter the circumstances.
1. Check yourself.
Drop the hero complex. It’s a common trap: projecting unwavering confidence during crises, acting like you have all the answers. Your people don’t need a superhero, they need a human who can stay grounded in what counts. When I led teams through massive changes, I would not hesitate to say “I don’t know yet, but here’s what we’re doing to figure it out.” That built more trust than any amount of false certainty.
👉 When crisis mounts, be direct with your team. Lay out the situation, where the uncertainty lies, and how you’re going to figure it out together.
2. Remember: Safety first.
Protect your people’s well-being. Create space for your team to function without compromising their fundamental needs. Just last month, I watched managers across Los Angeles push to reopen offices despite hazardous air quality. They were so worried about maintaining ‘business as usual’ that they forgot their primary obligation: ensuring their people’s health and safety.
👉 Before making any disruptive operational decisions, pause and ask yourself what effect it might have on your team’s welfare. Better yet, ask them, “What do you need to feel safe and supported right now?”
3. Read the room.
When all eyes are on you, every decision you make sends a message about whose needs take priority. Your team won’t all deal with pressure the same way. Some need space to talk things through, while others find comfort in taking action. Both responses are valid. Recognize that one approach won’t fit all.
👉 Give people permission to cope on their own terms. Try saying: “I know everyone processes stress differently. If you need time, take it. If you want to lean into work, we’ll support you.”
4. Put your oxygen mask on first.
Stop treating self-care like self-indulgence. I see too many leaders wrestle with guilt about stepping back, as if taking care of themselves means letting their team down. But you can’t support others if you’re running on empty. When stakes are high and everyone’s pushing through, setting boundaries feels almost impossible, yet that’s exactly when you need them most.
👉 Shift your mindset. Replace “I should power through” with “I choose to rest so I can lead more effectively.” Your mental clarity is a strategic asset, not an afterthought.
Looking ahead…
The way you lead in crisis reveals everything. Your choices under pressure shape how your team trusts and follows you long after the storm passes. Great leaders restore order and strengthen culture. They emerge with teams that are more adaptable, resilient, and deeply connected to their mission.
Carry this forward. Don’t just manage through—build something that lasts.
Sending love and light,
Ginny