How can you demonstrate your ability to work well under pressure in an Operational Planning role?

Most professions have to deal with crisis operations and response at some point. This could be an emergency planning session to address social media fallout, or a missing child at a public school. It is unrealistic to remove pressure from a crisis situation but it is possible to manage it and reduce its impact on the work force. The best way to do this, in my experience, is through calm and measured leadership, and having a well designed and rehearsed response plan. You may face an unpredictable 'black swan' event but it is far more likely that you will can anticipate your problems and plan against them.

Big problems can be overwhelming especially if there is a time constraint. Slow it down, ask yourself what does the situation / others require of me right now. Start there, move into the next thing and keep knocking them down. Eventually you’ll get caught up and the team will feel you’re there for them which will put them at ease and will help calm the chaos.

Working under pressure is part and parcel of operational delivery and usually results from an under resource. This is manageable in the short term but is not sustainable over the medium to long term.

Demonstre os dados atualizados a tempo, fa?a sempre reports e engaje a todos, demonstre que está ativo ao processo. Se ninguém morreu, há solu??o para tudo. Ent?o mantenha a calma e compartilhe a decis?o.

From my experience demonstrating prioritization, you should focus on identifying and addressing critical tasks first during the operational planning process. Clearly communicate your chosen priorities to team members, ensuring everyone is aligned. Collaborate by actively seeking input, incorporating diverse perspectives, and fostering a sense of shared responsibility. Under pressure, maintain open communication channels, adapt plans as needed, and emphasize teamwork to achieve collective goals efficiently.

The crucial aspect to working under pressure is to identify the source of the pressure. If it is coming from above to be used as a vehicle for demonstrating how much work can be gotten from a team then although the outputs may be good the cost to the team will be too high. If it is driven by customer demand then the resource model needs to be recalculated based on the increase in inputs to ensure adequate resources in terms of staff are available.

Clarity and levelheadedness is critical. I always told young officers not to be susceptible to "scrambled-egg syndrome". As a leader you receive a dubious operational task with high expectations, a short deadline, and possibly high stakes. If the young officer does not pause to digest the requirement, consult with knowledgeable teammates, and brief concise orders in a calm demeanor and with confidence, you will only pass on chaos (scrambled eggs) to those that are accomplishing the task. The more chaos received at inception, the more confusion and ineffective time management that will occur, thus requiring backing up several steps and loss of time. Leaders must keep their cool and wits about them, it will have a calming effect on the team.

Highlight instances from your previous roles where you successfully managed tight deadlines Emphasize your focus on achieving results even in high-pressure situations. Showcase your flexibility and adaptability in handling unforeseen changes. Illustrate your ability to communicate clearly and decisively during high-pressure moments. Discuss your proficiency in managing time effectively, especially when facing tight deadlines. Provide examples of your problem-solving skills in action. Showcase instances where you maintained high-quality standards in operational planning, even when working under pressure. Discuss techniques you use for stress management and how you stay focused on objectives during challenging situations.