Running an organization is not an easy task. While it could be said that a company is only as good as its employees; the fact that an able leader is a cause behind the proper functioning of these employees cannot be denied. An individual can be deemed a good leader not when the going is smooth but when they are faced with challenges and crisis situations. Thus, the process by which an individual responds to a company’s challenges is known as Crisis leadership, emphasizes Michael Saltzstein, a person known for his in-depth knowledge of the subject.
It is the crisis leaders who spearhead the organization at difficult times primarily by providing support emotionally, both to the employees as well as to the needs of the customers. They tend to be people who focus on the implications over the long term. They are known for their dedication to understanding responses and developing plans and strategies on those terms.
Michael Saltzstein in his grave erudition of this kind of leadership emphasizes that one should be clear-headed about the fact that there is a close connection between crisis leadership and crisis management. And that both these things are of primary importance during those challenging times. However, there are very minutes areas of difference between the two as well, which if the company can identify correctly and implement them at the appropriate times proves to be very beneficial.
The most basic point of difference between the two lies in the fact that crisis leadership focuses on the long-term consequences for the company. Crisis management on the other hand is related to focusing on the regular modus Operandi of the business. While the crisis managers help in the immediate solutions to the challenges being faced, the crisis leaders ensure that the company does not face any similar challenges in the future.
Crisis managers tweak the current modes of functioning if required to achieve the desired goal which helps the company regain its stability immediately. Its difference with crisis leaders is better understood by understanding the components of crisis leadership.
Effective crisis leadership is made possible when the crisis is recognized at an early stage. The sooner it is discovered the quicker is its remedy designed. It is always better to have a little homework done for the probable challenges to the company. This keeps one ready for any initial signs and thereby deriving the instant remedy in collaboration with the crisis managers.
An optimistic attitude, good communication skills ability to prioritization, adaptability, and the ability to work in collaboration with others to counter the effects of the potential challenges are the signs of an efficient crisis leader, explains Michael Saltzstein.
A crisis leader takes care of every belief of the company. Its vision-mission remains protected by the leader and that is what drives them to achieve the same by being mindful and alert of what long-term remedies can be devised to safeguard the interests of the company.