What do you do if you're an executive in Aerospace Engineering and facing a major crisis?

1.- First of all, acknowledge that you are facing a Crisis. 2.- Then ensure that everybody is aware and understands the challenges of overcoming the crisis. 3.- Understand how and why the crisis materialized, then address the fundamental shortcomings that led to the crisis. 4.- Take stock and make the necessary adjustments quickly, in consensus with all internal and external stakeholders. 5.- At the end is the restoration of confidence in the enterprise, no matter how painful the individual steps are, to ensure and regain business continuity.

Amongst the members of the crew of the Internation Space Station, everybody can propose a plan of actions for routine operations. But during crisis, only the commander can give orders and is solely in charge of all the decisions. Now depending on the scale of the enterprise, this approach may not fully translate. However, the hierarchy is there to lead by example, and pick up the main decision. Whatever scheme you choose, if consensus cannot be reached, each main decision shall be enforced by the responsible authority. This is clearly a demanding task, so the quality and expertise of the management will be crucial, and will be tested to the maximu extent.

If you respect your team, and you believe in them as well as in the workforce, then bring as much as possible everybody to mote or the less the same level of understanding. People will be more likely to follow your leadership, accept the challenges and even the harsh decision if you make them aware. Stay calm and empathic facing the reactions of your team and of members of your workforce, because after the initial discourage they will be more likely to follow your example and work harder to right the ship.

As an executive, in first step an important action is to find out the main cause of crisis. Then get together with top managers and deputies to resolve the issues. A time schedule to be prepared for different steps to be taken in proper time. Keep watching the various tasks to be carried out in well behaved manner till end of job.

It is really important the culture you build with your staff, and in cascade, with the whole workforce. If you did a good job, and you still can propose projects that challenge the brightest minds in your team, you can wade together out the woods. Lead by ecample, if needed accept a pay cut, work extended hours, while showing the direction. Your team response will be your best victory.