In this solo video, the speaker answers the frequent question “How should I lead during a crisis?” by arguing that effective crisis leadership is not about inventing new behaviors but about consistently applying disciplined habits that should already be part of a leader’s daily practice. He synthesizes advice from sources such as Harvard Business Review, Inc., Forbes, and the Wall Street Journal, highlighting three core actions: frequent, transparent communication; genuine care for the personal well‑being of team members; and soliciting input from all levels before making decisions. The speaker stresses that these actions must be habitual, not one‑off responses triggered only by a crisis like COVID‑19. He likens discipline to a martial artist’s purposeful habits and warns against letting these practices slip when pressure eases. The video concludes with a call to join the Sensei Leader Movement (SLMJoinFree.com) and to subscribe to the channel for more leadership content.
Chapters
Here's one of our most frequently asked questions over the past couple of weeks: How should I lead during a crisis? Well, the same way you were leading before the crisis, as long as you're disciplined and you're doing the right things. Let's break down some of the most common responses to this question. I'm paraphrasing suggestions from places like HBR Inc., Forbes, Wall Street Journal, other places like that. Nearly all the experts there say you need to communicate often and with transparency during a crisis. Well, you should be doing that all the time. You should make it a discipline. Now, some say you need to be sure to show caring and interest in the personal well-being of your people. You know, don't just talk business. Reach out and make sure people are okay, that they have what they need, and let them know you support them. Yeah, but you shouldn't have to be suddenly compassionate You should make it a discipline. I'd only add that if you don't care, don't bother, but we'll cover that another time. Solicit input from people at all levels and don't try to go it alone. Involve people before you make decisions. Yep, you know what I'm gonna say? Discipline. Look, these are all great ideas and we could go off for an hour or more on this stuff, but the point is discipline. We should be doing these things all the time. You know, to a martial artist, discipline is the cultivation and practice of meaningful and purposeful habits. Sure, there are some adjustments we need to make in response to specific conditions, like during this COVID crisis, but by and large, you shouldn't have to suddenly reshape yourself as a leader, at least not the next time. If you're not doing some of these things, then yes, get in gear, make some changes, but then make sure they're not one-offs. Make them habits. A leader should always be learning, growing, changing. That's part of the adventure. But when it comes to these fundamentals, these are the things leaders should be doing all the time. Just take care not to let them slip when the pressure is off. Make them part of your life and your leadership. Make them disciplines. If you need help, give me a shout. Meanwhile, join the Sensei Leader Movement. We need more leaders like you. It's SLMJoinFree.com. Level up your life and career by helping others level up theirs. Be a leader. Get involved. Join the Sensei Leader Movement today and we'll help. Just go to SLMJoinFree.com. And of course, get more videos like this. We're making new ones all the time. Subscribe to our YouTube channel right now.
