The Miracle on the Hudson – COVID-19 Leadership In Crisis Lessons

In what has now become known as the "Miracle on the Hudson", the US Airways Flight 1549 , piloted by 57-year-old Chesley B. Sullenberger and First officer Jeffrey B. Skiles was forced to land at the Hudson river shortly after take-off from New York City's LaGuardia Airport on January 15, 2009, after striking a flock of Canada geese less than five miles north west of the airport and consequently losing all engine power.

The final report credited the positive outcome of the crash to four factors: good decision-making and teamwork by the cockpit; the fact that the A320 is certified for extended overwater operation (and hence carried life vests and additional raft/slides) even though not required for that route; the performance of the flight crew during the evacuation; and the proximity of working vessels to the ditching site. Just like the bird strike was unexpected, so has Covid-19 struck the world and organizations that survive will have to get some lessons from this flight.

Strong leadership and good decision making are going to be critical: Realizing that both engines had shut down, Captain Sullenberger took control while Flight Officer Skiles worked the checklist for engine restart. There was no better person to be at the controls - Captain Chesley B. Sullenberger was a former fighter pilot who had been an airline pilot since leaving the United States Air Force in 1980 and at the time, he had logged 19,663 total flight hours, including 4,765 in an A320 and was also a glider pilot expert. Companies that are going to make it through this crisis are those that have invested in having experienced leaders and this going to apply to country leadership. The quality of leadership may be the difference between life and death.

Reshuffle your teams quickly: The experienced Captain took charge and moved the flight officer to another role which was also critical. Companies will need to quickly move people around to ensure that experienced leaders are at the helm of every key aspect of the firm. This is not a time for being politically correct with decision making - the entire life of the company or nation is at stake and you could all perish.

Make tough decisions and quickly: There is no time for procrastination – tomorrow may be too late. This captain had to decide on attempting to head to one of the nearby airports for crash landing or attempting a glide into the Hudson river. He opted for the river and this single decision is possibly what led to 100% survival of all on-board. CEO’s and country leaders are going to have to make life and death decisions for the organizations they lead. Either way the world is going to look very different after this Covid-19 crisis. Those that can visualize the future with accuracy and position their organizations well will survive and emerge even stronger.

Teamwork & Execution: If there has ever been a time that teamwork and execution was needed, then this is the time. People will need to rally around leaders to do things that have never been done before, and in ways that are completely unfamiliar. None of the crew here or even the passengers had ever imagined that one day, they would need to land in a river but once the captain made the decision – they all moved to do their part without knowing what will happen. No one can predict where the decisions leaders are making today will take us. What we need now is solid Godly faith in our leaders be they presidents, CEO’s, Church or even parents at home.

Preparation & forward thinking: This plane had been designed to perform under water conditions and had carried life vests even though the route did not require it. This is the time for companies and even countries to take stock of the assets they have. There could be assets that have not been of use in the past that may help you survive and come out of this stronger. Things that worked in the past may not be what will make you survive. Be open minded, innovate and flexible. Do a detailed review of the people talent you have, the licenses, products or even technology – this could be your life vest.