Developing Senior Executives during an Organisational Crisis – November 2008 Written by Georgina Woudstra, Co-founder Wisdom8 When an organization is in crisis, executives often do not agree upon the best course of action and the increased pressure and sense of urgency can mean that communication is poor or non-existent. Very quickly this can increase politics, fear and rumour, which makes matters worse. Executives can be so intent on taking action, that they can be blind to the consequences. Executive coaches can support clients in considering the impact of their actions on the organisation and culture and to evaluate how to minimise politics and chaos. When recently coaching a managing director of a multi-billion pound organisation, the executive relayed how the Board was having daily meetings all focused on cutting projects, headcount, the sales force etc. The Wisdom8 coach challenged that it sounded like a football match with the whole team at one end of the pitch surrounding the opponent’s goal with no-one looking for the opportunity to strike. The MD, jolted by this comment, realised that the current crisis represented opportunities as well as challenges and that he needed to ensure that whilst some of the team were focused on managing the risk, some were actively looking for ways to use the situation to their advantage. The skills required to lead an organisation through these turbulent times are unique. Many of the top executives in today’s corporate world have never held a senior leadership role in this climate and are ill prepared. With no end in sight, fear and daily escalating crises, with no sense of how to lead through them, can turn a previously successful ‘high-flyer’ into the weakest link, making impulsive, reactive and poor quality decisions that send the organisation lunging from one direction to the next. Top coaches help leaders to stop for long enough for the ‘amygdala hijack’ to subside (when we respond out of measure to the actual threat because it has triggered a much more significant emotional threat) and to survey the landscape objectively, and rapidly weigh up options, implication and consequence, before launching into action. Comments from Allard de Jong, international coach, Wisdom8: In these turbulent times, it has never been more important to lead with character and determination.  We all know leadership can be difficult – especially when unforeseen events take their toll, but it is now that leaders need to find the strength of character to endure critical business challenges.  Equanimity, or an even mindedness to cope with whatever arises in the moment, is also essential.  After all, the best decisions are made in a calm and balanced mind.  As impartial sounding boards, coaches can play a vital role in helping leaders to overcome personal and professional barriers. Undeniably, wisdom is the most valuable tool to moving forward, as it helps leaders to cope with life better by making the best of situations, and to recognise and accept life’s uncertainties and unpredictability.  However, to quote Plautus: “No man is wise enough by himself”, which is why coaching is essential to business leaders during difficult times.  Top leader retreats are also valuable as they allow wisdom to emerge through shared insights with other business leaders and board-level coaches in a non-competitive and supportive setting.  We created the Wisdom8 CEO Retreat to provide an opportunity for busy executives to reconnect at a deep level with what they need to achieve and who they need to be. Below are examples of programme Wisdom8 has designed to meet the current challenges senior executives face: Wisdom8 Signature Programme Wisdom8's Signature programme is designed for the CEO. It is an integrated and personal service that enables management of these pressures; gives stretch and a platform to reflect; focuses on key development areas; and provides a completely honest and trusting sounding board. Signature is led by Wisdom8's boardroom coaches and mentors, along with Wisdom8 specialists who work around particular areas of development, including: Impact & Influence, Public Speaking, Handling the Media, Personal Branding, Wellbeing/Health and Life Planning. Wisdom8 CEO Retreat Wisdom8 retreats are targeted at CEOs and leaders running fast growth, multi-million pound companies, who are looking for the next stage of growth and see a need to expand their own personal development as well as business development. The retreat provides time out in an inspirational setting, a structured thinking environment, the active support of peers (other CEOs/Executive Directors) and world class board-level Coaches. For more information email contact@wisdom8.com All Selected Articles