Create Crisis to develop leaders: What if leadership is developed during a crisis and not in the training programs

Google this question and you will find plenty of articles on leadership in crisis.

Now, take a step back and reflect – While crisis requires good leadership, does it  also give birth to new leaders?

Push it a notch higher and we face a classic conundrum –  if crisis is what it takes for a leader to be born, what are we doing in training room? On the flip side, should we really be waiting for a crisis to happen to create organisational leaders.

Perhaps, the answer is in understanding what individuals view or feel is a crisis. That will probably give us a better understanding of what motivates individuals to demonstrate leadership qualities such as a sense of purpose and/or compassion or something else at times least expected.

If we are able to identify those motivational triggers, recognise it and nurture it, we might be doing a pretty good job of developing leaders who would do what is to be done without being asked to.

Maybe it is just a simple but not so simple thing about the willingness to take control, take charge and find a way through.

But we can’t really be wishing a crisis upon ourselves in the hope that we luck out and see the next new leader stepping up.

Simulated immersive learning may just be the way out. A tool which enables learners to experience situations as close as real time, challenges them to make decisions and leave the vulnerable.  (Yes, leaders do become vulnerable in a crisis but they claw their way back)

The whole exercise of how they react to what they perceive is a crisis might be the indicator of who your next blue eyed boy or a girl is.

Reach out to Contoole Team.