The Power of Options
Always give yourself four ways to win. by David Noble and Carol Kauffman
Matthias Heiderich
Summary.
Ask leaders how they will respond to a crisis or a massive new opportunity, and they often will tell you they already know what to do. This is surprising because most crises and opportunities have unexpected elements. A high-powered executive whom we coach once told us, “In any crisis, I come out of the gate fast and take action. I go over, under, or through any wall in my way. With my people, I lead from the front.” To be sure, that approach has the benefit of decisiveness, but it offers a narrow path, especially in high-stakes situations. What happens when such leaders run into obstacles they can’t muscle their way through?
Read more on Leadership styles or related topics Interpersonal communication, Managing people, Crisis communication, Leadership qualities, Psychology and Leadership
A version of this article appeared in the January–February 2023 issue of Harvard Business Review.
Read more on Leadership styles or related topics Interpersonal communication, Managing people, Crisis communication, Leadership qualities, Psychology and Leadership