Seven Lessons for Leading in Crisis

Jobs returned after Apple bought NeXT and Pixar was sold to Walt Disney. Recognizing that IBM-clone personal computers had the corporate computing network locked up, Jobs revolutionized his company and the music world with iPod and iTunes. Now he is changing the mobile phone market with the iPhone.
At each stage of his amazing journey, Jobs used his creative genius—first in computing, then in filmmaking, and more recently in music and telephony—to transform entire industries and become the leader by leveraging Apple’s innovative capabilities in color graphics and user interface.

In a crisis, cash is king. Not earnings per share. Not revenue growth. Not return on equity. Survivability and fiscal conservatism must take precedence over near-term financial metrics. Ask yourself, do we have sufficient cash reserves to get through the worst crisis imaginable? If the answer is no, you should take immediate action to shore up your cash reserves.

The important thing is to have a set of practices that you make habitual:
• Keeping my body in shape. Regular workouts at least three or four times per week are essential for me. I like to jog for twenty to thirty minutes, which builds physical resilience and helps me clear my head. I engage regularly in longer, more vigorous activities, such as skiing, playing tennis, riding, hiking, and climbing.
• Keeping my mind sharp and spirits high. Thirty years ago, Penny convinced me to attend a meditation course with her. As a result, I developed a meditation practice—twenty minutes, twice a day—that has been invaluable in getting through high-stress periods and coping with jet lag on frequent overseas trips. Meditation offers a sense of harmony and well-being that is essential for coping with the rigors of high-pressure situations. I also pray regularly and find time for personal reflection.
• Not taking myself too seriously. This is probably my biggest challenge, as I tend to be serious and focused. The things that work to loosen me up a bit (and it would be misleading to say I get completely loosened up) include deep conversations, laughter, a good movie or play, dancing, and relaxing with friends.

You cannot get through a crisis alone, so don’t try. The good news is that you are not alone. People inside your organization and in your personal circle are more than willing to help you if you ask them and are willing to open up to them.
You will be much more effective in getting through a crisis when you get the world off your shoulders and share your burdens with others. With the team solidly supporting you, you are prepared to bring them together to dig deep for the root cause of the crisis and get the problems fixed once and for all