Insight on Coaching

Crisis Coaching

Season 4, Episode 16 - Air Date: November 26th, 2007

Audio File - Length 55:16, File Size - 12.6 MB

Disasters like 9/11, Hurricane Katrina and the Minneapolis bridge collapse in August, force first responders, investigators, law enforcement, community and corporate leaders to work together in ways they never would day-to-day.

Effective leadership is the hallmark of a successful response to a crisis. But it also requires exceptional levels of organization, communication, cooperation and commitment by everyone involved.

How can coaching help companies, community groups and public agencies ensure that their people will be ready to take action when the worst happens?

Guests

• Len Biegel, General Counsel of the Biegel Group
• Dr. John Harrald, George Washington Institute for Crisis Disaster
• Myra Jolivet, Chief Communication and Marketing Officer for the American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles
• Larry Smith, Coach and President of the Institute for Crisis Management

Summary

Last year, nearly a million volunteers of the American Red Cross and its 35,000 employees helped victims of almost 75,000 disasters and taught lifesaving skills to millions. From sudden crises including natural disasters and explosions to smoldering crises like class action lawsuits that can paralyze an organization, these catastrophes have a significant impact on the lives of those affected.

An October 2007 YouGov survey found world events and crises left 56% of people surveyed feeling powerless, 50% of people surveyed feeling angry, 35% of people surveyed feeling anxious and 26% of people surveyed feeling depressed.

Are today’s corporations and small to medium sized businesses prepared to handle a crisis when it occurs?

And how are coaches who specialize in crisis prevention and response working with organizations to prepare and guide leaders through these catastrophic events?

Our panel of experts address these questions and more.

Highlights of the show include:

• How organizations like the American Red Cross have handled current crises like the Southern California Wildfires.
• Why many businesses aren’t prepared to handle a catastrophe or crisis.
• The competencies and skills leaders must possess to respond effectively to a crisis situation.
• How coaches are developing leaders in crisis prevention and response.
• The role coaches are playing in crisis management training.
• Success stories of how organizations have responded positively to crisis situations.

This podcast is part of the Insight on Coaching series. For additional information, visit the Insight on Coaching Home Page.