How naming shared values is an effective approach to leading through a crisis

Leading always requires listening and understanding the goals and values of the people in your organization.

If your organization is in crisis — when the majority of stakeholders perceive a significant risk of severe harm to the organization — listening is indispensable, and your values are your lifeline.

In my recent article “Rebuilding with values-based governance ,” I describe using values as the foundation of governance and decision-making.

I draw on analysis and reflection from leading my university department through crisis as the world was locked down due to COVID-19 restrictions.

I describe the approach, as well as my use of shared leadership, consensus decision-making and a compassionate approach to accountability, in my new book that examines my odyssey as a transman stepping into leadership during a precarious time.

Shared leadership during a crisis Leading any organization can be a lot of work, but leading in crisis requires additional considerations.

In addressing perceived risks of harm after a crisis, leaders must also navigate a situation or event characterized by what management researchers Christine M.

Pearson and Judith A.

Clair describe as “ ambiguity of cause, effect and means of resolution, as well as by a belief that decisions must be made swiftly .” Leaders face incomplete information, time pressure, unprecedented leadership challenges with unclear options and a threat to the group’s reputation.

The lack of clarity that results from incomplete information is a real leadership challenge.

When faced with the unexplained, people have a need to assuage their confusion.

The more fear-inducing the situation , the greater the urge to create a plausible explanation.

Different people generate different stories, each consistent with the available information.

Once multiple stories are generated, a community is vulnerable to breaking into factions who can come to see each other as lacking rationality or even lacking morality .