How Leaders Can Stay Calm During?Crises?

This very article is a continuation of a previous one titled: Leaders breakdown under pressure published on November 23, 2021. Till date, this issue remains relevant as the world has become more fragile and turbulent than ever before and we must prepare accordingly. Crises and Pressures will continue to shape differently in times to come.?

Research shows it’s common for leaders to react poorly in high-stress situations. Specifically, 53 percent become more closed-minded and controlling during times of crisis, instead of open and curious. A further 43 percent become more angry and heated. If we’re in a leadership position, learning how to control ourselves and maintain a level head during challenging times will serve us well over the course of our career. But that can be easier said than done. Here are five techniques that can help us manage our teams during a crisis while also keeping calm.

1. Wait to?Act

To cut the long story short: A leader is someone who responds to a situation calmly and with a well-thought-out plan. Before we jump into problem-solving, let’s take a deep breath and pause to collect our thoughts and assess the situation with a clear mind. This advice is the most important tip that Harvard Business School Professor Nancy Koehn, who teaches about legendary explorer Ernest Shackleton, learned when she studied former US President Abraham Lincoln’s method of leadership.

In a crisis, it’s important to take a deep breath and remain as calm as possible?—?especially as the stakes rise or as circumstantial turbulence accelerates?—?before responding in order to move forward with an actionable plan and to avoid creating mass panic. “The smallest pause before picking up the phone, sending out the tweet, or saying something to someone will help a leader gather his or her thoughts and maximise the chances that he or she makes a smart move,” Koehn says.

2. Build a Strong Support?System

Leaders rarely go it alone?—?it’s why they usually have a board of advisors, why former US President John F. Kennedy relied on his brother, or why Abraham Lincoln had two secretaries and a cabinet from which he frequently sought input. “Great leaders have people around them who understand how to maintain a grounded, calm presence,” Koehn says. “It’s important they have advisors who are calm as well.” To recruit a strong counsel, we have to make sure the people around us have strength of character. Are they confident in their own viewpoints, but also open-minded and communicative? Do they support our vision?

Besides quality leadership values, they should have diverse experience and emotional intelligence skills so they can take on a variety of responsibilities and help lead to the best of our ability. This can help people make the right decisions and successfully navigate through crisis. It’s often said that success never happens in a vacuum. The amount of work our team puts in, along with their attitudes and ability to ask the right questions, can make or break success, so let’s keep this in mind when we build our support network.

3. Understand the Reality of the Situation

It’s crucial to recognise the reality of a situation and acknowledge our limitations during a crisis, no matter how difficult that might be. Let’s realise that in the heat of the moment, nothing an individual leader can solve the whole situation. We’re better off acting from our strongest, calmest self than we are taking the first reactive, immediate action.

While a problem can seem overwhelming at first, the best way to approach it is to break it down step-by-step. Doing that can help us gain a clear picture of the circumstances, enabling us to work closely with our team, prioritise our next steps, and delegate effectively. Once we’ve decided on a plan, stick to it and rely on ourselves and our teams to complete the tasks assigned and carry out a successful resolution.

4. Prioritise & Break Down the?Problem

When faced with a complex problem, it’s crucial to prioritize the key issues before diving into solutions. Not all aspects of a problem carry equal weight, so identifying the most critical components ensures that efforts are focused on what truly matters. This requires assessing the impact, urgency, and feasibility of different aspects of the problem. By addressing high-priority areas first, you prevent wasted time on minor issues and can create a more structured approach to problem-solving. Prioritization also helps manage limited resources effectively, whether it’s time, money, or effort.

Once priorities are clear, the next step is to break down the problem into smaller, manageable parts. A complex issue can often feel overwhelming, but segmenting it into specific tasks makes it easier to tackle. This approach not only simplifies problem-solving but also allows for step-by-step progress, which can be tracked and adjusted as needed. Breaking down the problem also helps in identifying root causes, uncovering hidden dependencies, and ensuring that solutions are practical. By combining prioritization with decomposition, you create a logical roadmap to resolution, making even the most daunting challenges more approachable.

5. Communicate Clearly & Consistently

In high-pressure situations, clear & consistent communication is essential to maintaining control and ensuring smooth decision-making. Stress can lead to rushed or unclear messages, which may cause misunderstandings and mistakes. To communicate effectively, it’s important to stay calm, use simple and direct language, and focus on key points. Active listening also plays a crucial role?—?understanding others’ concerns and responding appropriately can prevent confusion and foster collaboration. Whether addressing a team, handling a crisis, or making quick decisions, clarity reduces uncertainty and helps keep everyone aligned toward a common goal.

Consistency in communication is equally important during high-stakes moments. Mixed messages or frequent changes in instructions can create panic and hesitation. Repeating key points, reinforcing priorities, and ensuring that all stakeholders receive the same information builds trust and confidence. Using a structured approach?—?such as summarizing updates, confirming understanding, and providing clear next steps?—?ensures that messages remain steady and reliable. By staying clear and consistent, leaders can guide their teams through pressure-filled situations with confidence and efficiency.

Parting Note

Staying calm during a crisis is one of the most important qualities of a strong leader. When uncertainty and pressure rise, a leader’s composure sets the tone for the entire team. The key is to focus on what can be controlled?—?gathering accurate information, prioritising tasks, and making decisions based on facts rather than emotions. Deep breathing, mindfulness, and maintaining a rational perspective help in managing stress. A calm leader reassures their team, keeps morale high, and prevents panic from spreading.

Moreover, preparation and adaptability are crucial in crisis situations. Leaders who have contingency plans, trust their team, and communicate with clarity can navigate challenges effectively. Seeking support from advisors, delegating tasks, and staying flexible in problem-solving prevent the crisis from becoming overwhelming. Ultimately, the ability to stay composed, make sound decisions, and inspire confidence defines great leadership during tough times.

Suggested Read: Leaders breakdown under pressure

About the?Author

Muhammad Sajwani is a C-Level HR, Transformation Leader, Board Advisor, Business Coach & Organisational Consultant and Managing Director, Evolve HR. He is an author, columnist and a contributor who besides writing for LinkedIn and Medium, also regularly writes for BizCatalyst 360 and has published around 500 articles. He brings along 30+ years of local & international experience. He is a change catalyst specialising in unleashing the human Dreamgenius through Leadership, Creativity and Change Management. Muhammad has been instrumental in helping organizations come to terms with organizational changes like right-sizing and business process re-engineering. His innovative approach & high personal competence encourages people to not only accept change, but also to excel in it. Muhammad has diverse experience in conducting strategic & management development programs, conferences & events for organisations across sectors. In recognition of his long outstanding services, Global HR Professionals?—?GHRP & Artificial Intelligence Community of Pakistan awarded him the “Lifetime Achievement Award” in the year 2024.