The grim reality that only 21% of American employees strongly agree that they trust their organization's leadership—up from 24% in 2019—underscores a growing crisis of trust that can undermine effective emergency management. This troubling trend, captured in a recent Gallup report, underscores the necessity of strong and compassionate leadership during times of crisis.

Consider the recent Hurricane Beryl, a devastating storm that demonstrated my company BELFOR's response strategies and highlighted the impacts of extreme weather. My experience managing the aftermath of natural disasters helped me refine strategies that apply to severe weather events and workplace crises alike. Reflecting on the far-reaching impact of Hurricane Beryl and my own personal experiences, I realized the need to adapt and change our approach to support affected communities. Hugging SKILLSby fostering open communication and empowering our teams, we can not only recover from crises, but also strengthen and build a more resilient and connected workforce.

While not every company will endure the wrath of a natural disaster (although, as we have seen, the impact of natural disasters on a multitude of sectors is affected), I believe that the lessons I have learned on the front lines and the response strategies BELFOR has developed are universally applicable. These strategies prepare us to handle a wide spectrum of potential business interruptions, ensuring speed and effectiveness. decision making under pressure — a must-have skill in a changing business environment.

Below, we'll explore some practical ways that focus on leadership agility—especially during crisis management. This knowledge is essential for more than just recovery; they are about fundamentally rethinking our strategies to be adaptable and well-prepared for future uncertainties, regardless of line of work.

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Emphasize active listening

In leadership, especially during crises, active listening it is as crucial as decision making. The analogy of a pilot at 30,000 feet illustrates this well: Leaders, like pilots, see the broad, overarching strategies clearly, while their teams on the ground manage the details. Channeling these perspectives through active listening can sharpen decision-making and drive engagement—which comes with a host of benefits.

or Gallup poll found that higher team engagement leads to better business outcomes, such as increased productivity, profitability and well-being. Leaders can practice this skill by regularly checking in with team members to ask about their tasks and assess their well-being. They also need to check in on their families and loved ones, ask about milestones, and make real personal connections. This dual focus on work and personal feedback cultivates trust and increases loyalty—two indispensable tools for moving teams forward.

Decentralization of decision-making

Allowing your team to make decisions empowers them and is essential in situations that require immediate action. This approach shows confidence in their abilities and understanding (which I think we can all agree is a great feeling). Consider Johnson & Johnson. Under the leadership of William Weldon, Johnson & Johnson has illustrated a decentralized corporate structurewhich was particularly useful in managing different regions and cultural contexts.

This structure allowed local managers, who deeply understood their markets and customer needs, to make decisions tailored to their specific circumstances without waiting for approvals from US headquarters. Similarly, at BELFOR, our global presence means we empower leadership across our various offices. branches. When you hire the right team membersyou know that whatever they face, they will always do the right thing.

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Enter the trenches

from stepping onto the field and by facing the same challenges as your team, you boost morale and build credibility. This hands-on approach demonstrates your commitment to understanding the inner workings and day-to-day realities of your team's tasks. Additionally, adopting a more approachable demeanor can greatly reduce barriers between leadership and staff. For example, during my presentation on Undercover boss, I traded the suit and tie for blue jeans and a sport coat, which significantly transformed my interactions. I found that people were more willing to approach me and share their honest feedback, providing valuable insights essential to improving our operations.

Express gratitude to the entire system

recognize not only the hard work and dedication of your team members on the front line, but also the invaluable support provided by their families back home. Recognizing the collective efforts of employees and their loved ones reinforces a supportive work environment and boosts morale across the board. This is crucial given that, according to Gallup's analysis, only one in three workers in the US strongly agree that they received recognition or praise for doing good work in the past week. Simple gestures like sending thank-you notes, organizing appreciation events or even publicly recognizing their efforts during meetings can make a significant difference in increasing employee engagement and satisfaction.

After a crisis, call a group debriefing to reflect on the experience. Encourage open discussion about successful strategies and which areas require adaptation for future responses. This practice of analyzing and learning from mistakes turns challenges into valuable teaching moments. Fostering a culture that sees mistakes as opportunity for growth, leaders can not only improve their team's performance, but also increase their resilience and readiness for future challenges. This approach ensures that every experience, good or bad, is used as a positive force for continuous improvement and innovation. For example, research has shown that discussions in health care settingssuch as emergency departments, help teams quickly learn and manage patient care more safely to improve overall team performance and patient outcomes.

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The disaster recovery team leader's responsibilities include overseeing the distribution of resources and supplies to ensure an efficient recovery process. At BELFOR, our team of disaster recovery industry experts thrives on mastering the complex dynamics of crisis management skills. We continually overcome the challenges of disaster recovery by adapting to new trends while staying true to our core purpose: to help those in need with compassion and expertise. This approach not only helps us tackle today's challenges – it also prepares us for whatever tomorrow may bring.

By blending innovative strategies, agile decision-making and core leadership values, we create a resilient foundation that allows us to excel in high-stress scenarios.