Leadership and Decision-Making in Crisis and Emergency Situations

Objectives:

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Improve the effectiveness of your reports, proposals, emails, letters and other communication
• Develop more efficient writing processes, improving project and time management
• Meet the needs of your readerships/audiences enabling them to achieve their own objectives
• Develop your presentational skills and the techniques to enhance impact and effectiveness
• Deploy the right techniques, tools and skills for a wide variety of communications challenges

Contents:

Psychology and Dynamics of Crises and Emergencies

• The nature of crises and emergencies
• Individual psychology under crisis and emergency conditions
• Collective psychology under crisis and emergency conditions
• Evolution and dynamics of crises and emergencies
• Crises and emergencies don’t just work 8 hour days
• Tasks of leaders before, during, and after a crisis or emergency

Rational Decision-Making in Crises and Emergencies

• Instinct, intuition, and reason
• Rational decision-making processes
• Individual and collective decision-making
• Delegation through mission-based leadership
• Nested hierarchical planning and operations

Leading Teams and Organizations

• Organizational and public responsibilities of leaders in crises and emergencies
• Crisis/emergency management organization
• Creating effective and efficient teams through rapid teambuilding
• Creating effective and efficient interagency cooperation and collaboration
• Organizational and team dynamics: morale, cohesion, mood, and unity of purpose
• Principles of operational command and leadership

Solving the Problem: Managing the Crisis or Emergency

• Seeking cause and effect to solve the problem, not to attribute blame or responsibility
• Creating and running a crisis/emergency command centre
• Elements of risk management: prevention, response, containment, and recovery
• Principles of business continuity and crisis operations
• Information gathering and situational awareness
• Operational rhythm, routines, and information management

Ethical Factors in Crisis and Emergency Leadership

• Caring for subordinates and their families
• The leader’s self-care
• Responsibilities to authorities, the public and/or victims
• Managing and leveraging the media
• After-action review and lessons learned processes
• Preparing for the next crisis or emergency