A Once-in-a-Generation Lesson in Crisis Management

As a leader in business and sports – and a father of five – I am no stranger to crisis management. I painfully recall navigating through 9/11 and its aftermath in New York, have been through five financial crises in my career and am met with daily challenges in each market where our sports teams operate. But I, like most others, was not prepared for the once-in-a-generation crisis that we are currently facing.

In this global health and economic crisis, there’s no right answer and no precedent. We are stumbling together in the dark for the first time. And most importantly, with Covid, your decisions can be the difference between life and loss.

With no higher stakes possible, decision-making was daunting in the early days, but never more important. I’ll be the first to admit that I was not always confident and did not get every decision right on the first try. This year has been an ongoing exercise in patience, trust and problem-solving. 

So, what is to be learned from all this? 

Innovate, act quickly and inspire.

People in positions of responsibility have an obligation to take care of those around them and the world at large. At big companies like Apollo, there are many opportunities to make a difference – it’s important to act. I recall in the early days of the crisis my colleagues working around the clock to deploy capital and help companies stay afloat amidst great uncertainty. Utilize every tool in your toolbox and do not be shy to spring into action quickly. Perfection is the enemy of progress. Move forward, be nimble and push yourself to help as many people as quickly as you can. This is only achievable by delegating responsibility and empowering the next generation around you. Manage by example and inspire others to lead responsibly, with compassion for those among and beyond their immediate circle. 

Apollo acts by delivering 200,000 KN95 masks to hard-hit Elmurst Hospital in Queens, NY in April.

You win with the best people.

You’re only as good as the people around you, and I feel fortunate to be surrounded by incredible people. Even though we have been operating in a remote-first environment, the pandemic in many ways has brought us closer together and made us stronger than before. At Apollo, we’ve collaborated globally, supporting the 250,000 people across our portfolio and finding new ways to strengthen our culture. We have executed transaction after transaction to help great American companies weather the crisis while also committing time and resources to numerous philanthropic causes. On the sports side, we have similarly prioritized philanthropic support of local communities in Philly, Camden and Newark, and have used the power of sports to bring people together – even in the most unlikely of circumstances for our leagues. Collectively, our impact has been astounding, and none of it would have been possible without the hard work, resilience and dedication of every individual involved.  

Equity is an imperative.

The social reckoning that unfolded this summer was an overdue call for systemic change. The protests were eye-opening for me personally, revealing the unacceptable magnitude of racial injustice that Black Americans face every day. This year I have focused on listening, providing support, taking action and – most importantly – holding myself accountable. I take seriously my role as a steward of the communities in which our organizations and teams live, work and play. Our platform is a position of privilege and it is critical that we use it appropriately to inspire change and create tangible impact. In each industry that I am involved, we have not done enough to combat issues of diversity, equity and inclusion. It’s not a choice, it’s an imperative. Many organizations are taking real action to commit to these efforts, but we must keep up the momentum. That means creating and meeting new benchmarks to guarantee progress, prioritizing education and continuing to create space for these difficult and necessary conversations. I am optimistic that we are moving in the right direction, but we have a long way to go. 

Prioritize personal wellness.

While remote work has afforded greater flexibility in some ways, it has also blurred the important boundaries between work and home life, compromising wellness. To practice sound judgment, you have to take care of yourself – physically, mentally, emotionally and otherwise. Wellness looks different for everyone. In my case, it means turning to my faith and dedicating time every day to physical activity and fitness. It also means spending meaningful time with my wife, five children and extended family – whether that involves helping my kids with their homework, sharing a family meal or walking the dogs. These practices may sound simple but keep me grounded. Remaining calm, centered and level-headed in your personal life enables you to exude those same qualities professionally.  

Find the silver linings.

Despite the difficulty of this year, or maybe because of it, I am filled with gratitude. Surrounded by so much uncertainty, the things that really matter have come into sharper focus. The silver lining of the pandemic has been spending much more time with my family, who have been a source of endless joy, comfort and inspiration through the crisis. I could not have gotten through this year without my extended family too – those who I’m fortunate to work with every day. Lastly, I continue to be grateful for all the people who have come together on a communal, national and global level to innovate, inspire and push us forward, especially the frontline workers who have made innumerable sacrifices for the greater good. We are forever indebted to you. 

While we are not out of the woods yet, I am confident that we will soon turn a corner, and optimistically welcome what 2021 will bring. 

Our family, and the New Jersey Devils organization, virtually thanking the healthcare workers in New Jersey.