“Crisis forces commonality of purpose on one another.” – Michelle Dean
One of the big lessons I learnt during my decade long consulting career is that best client relationships are built when your client needs you the most. This often requires being available during that sometimes over the long weekend or late night when something is to be delivered urgently next morning. Being supportive to your clients in those critical moments build long lasting bonds above anything else.
Similarly, a crisis presents a unique opportunity for leaders to showcase the strength of relationships within their teams. As adversity strikes, team members unite much more to take on the common challenge thrown at them. Amidst the chaos and uncertainty, leaders play a pivotal role not just in navigating through the crisis but also in nurturing the bonds within their teams.
Keeping the communication frequent, transparent, timely, and empathetic engagement fosters trust within the team. Involving team members in decision-making not only harnesses diverse perspectives but also empowers them, fostering collaboration and respect.
But this lesson extends beyond professional realms, being available to a friend or family member during the testing hours is equally important. Most often, we only remember the people who have stood besides us when most of people have turned their back. In the words of Magic Johnson, a famous basketball player -“When you face a crisis, you know who your true friends are.”
Ultimately, leadership in a crisis nurtures human connections, prioritizing empathy and resilience to inspire perseverance and strengthen personal bonds. If your client, team member or a friend is in crisis, then please be with them to support in this need of hour. This is one thing you will never regret.