Crisis Leadership: 10 Guiding Principles

Leading through a crisis is one of the most difficult things a leader will do in her career.  Leading successfully through a crisis is an even greater challenge and a monumental accomplishment. Nothing has prepared us for the demands of the COVID19 pandemic and school closures, the complexity of crisis leadership, and the devastating impact on our students. The impact goes beyond teaching and learning, and into the wellness and mental health of students, staff and families. This impact inspires us to lead to the best of our abilities. And for many, it keeps us up at night.

These past few weeks have made something abundantly clear to me: Leadership matters.

Yes, we’ve talked about the impact of great leadership for years. We’ve read and written about it, and perhaps shared (1 or 100) inspirational quotes about how much it matters. I thought I understood what it takes to be a great leader, but nothing NOTHING prepared me for crisis leadership. 

Crisis leadership commands that I lead in a different way. It forces me into a state of constant learning, seeking ways to modify and improve my leadership practices, sometimes second guessing my decisions and worrying about missed opportunities to lead well. I am mentally exhausted and physically drained, but at the end of the day, I’m more determined than ever to lead successfully. Through it all I’ve learned a few things that are helping me become a wiser and stronger crisis leader for my district team, my staff, and my school communities:

1. People First - People are the heart and greatest resource of an organization. There is nothing more important during a crisis than human connection. When people feel emotionally connected, valued, heard and supported, they will rally toward a common goal. 
2. Lead with Data - People are dealing with the unknown, an avalanche of misinformation and fear. Our role is to gather information and base our decisions on facts and data. We have to trust that we’ve made the best possible decision for students and staff at that moment in time.
3. Transparency and Clear Communication- People seek honesty and transparency in a leader.  Frequent and honest communication is reassuring. When we communicate in an honest and clear manner, we alleviate fears and provide hope.
4. Truly Listen - Listening leaders listen with their hearts and minds. They give their full attention and they listen with empathy and understanding. People need to feel heard, more than ever. 
5. Lead with Compassion- Our staff and school communities are dealing with isolation and physical distancing, economic hardship and a deadly virus. They are stressed and in need of compassion and empathy. Lead with grace, give it and receive it. Remember self-compassion and self-care.
6. Lead for Equity - We knew that vulnerable communities and many of our students faced inequity, but school closures and distance learning have truly brought the needs of our most marginalized communities to the surface. Maintain a focus on equity and socially just practices...this is our opportunity to truly transform education.
7. Be Flexible, Things Change - Things are changing by the minute, literally. I find myself planning and developing things that have to be revamped the next day. Flexibility is key. Lead with flexibility and extend it to others.
8. Be Present, Stay Calm - Focus on “what is” and not “what if.”  Make decisions based on what you know TODAY. Stay calm, as this will calm others. Stay positive, as negativity is contagious.
9. Dedicate Resources- This crisis is requiring us to be more creative about providing staff and students with the resources needed to navigate school closures. Parents are losing jobs and many are in need of meals and mental health supports. Invest your human and fiscal resources in new and creative ways that may alleviate the pandemic’s negative impact on our students and staff. 
10. See #1- People first. Always.

Despite my years as an educational leader, I struggle with feeling prepared for the demands of crisis leadership. What I do know is that we won’t succeed without the guidance of leaders who listen and lead with humanity, an equity standpoint, a people-first mindset, and facts. I hope that my sharing of these 10 learnings will help you lead through the uncertainty, fear, and complexities of crisis leadership as much as they’re helping me. We can do this, Leaders!

“This difficult, turbulent time will surely someday be seen, in part, as a fertile, living laboratory in which courageous leaders were made, not born.”

Nancy Koehn