When a Crisis Occurs

When a crisis occurs in an organization, it can take many different forms. In a school setting, some of the most common crises we hear about in today's society include intruder lockdowns and school shootings. Thus, many schools across our nation focus on preparedness drills, including, but not limited to, emergency evacuations and lockdown procedures. Other common crises include suicide of a student or sudden or anticipated loss of a student or staff member. These are all events that occur that we can plan for in advance, and they typically come with a list of protocols to follow. When we talk about pre-meditated crisis leader, it almost always starts with a comprehensive plan.

Other types of crises, however, are unanticipated. For example, while we have protocols to follow for an outbreak of head lice or a widespread dissemination of the flu, we were left underprepared for the outbreak of COVID-19 in our nation this past spring that rapidly closed schools and left a lingering impact on educational decisions to be made for the start of school this fall. There was no manual. There was no comprehensive plan. Educators had to pivot, and they continue playing a tough game on the court even to this day.

Regardless of the commonality or likelihood of a crisis, however, we must consider what we, as leaders, do when a crisis occurs. Are there some global strategies we can consider when an emergency alarm goes off or when the news on television turns sour? Let's explore some of the best ways a leader can prepare for that which can't always be anticipated.
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Proactive Crisis Leadership

We have spent a lot of time talking over the past several days about the importance of premeditated crisis leadership. What we do as leaders preceding a crisis will be indicative of the post-crisis outcome. Although each crisis will be unique in its urgency and complexity, there are still common strategies that we can consider to support us when a crisis occurs. Here are a few suggestions to ponder that can support a leader in any crisis situation. 
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What we do as leaders preceding a crisis will be indicative of the post-crisis outcome.

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1. Stay vigilant. So many crises are premeditated in the world of education that vigilance has to be a school leader's priority. One can only be vigilant by being visible. Structure your day as a leader to be visible during high traffic times (start of school, lunch, dismissal, etc.) and to allow yourself to "pop-up" randomly in classes and in the halls. When students or building visitors never know when to anticipate your presence, the lesser the chance of something outside of the code of conduct occurring on your watch. Consider how you might not only be vigilant in person, but also consider how you can be a presence online. Again, students and parents behave better when they know you are watching. 
2. Get organized. This plays off of the first strategy of being vigilant. It is going to be much harder to be vigilant if your schedule isn't conducive to getting you out of your office, and you tend to get trapped there if you don't fiercely protect your priorities. My staff knows, for example, that by 7:45 a.m. when our gates open, my AP and I are out in the courtyard circulating and greeting kids. I avoid all 7:30 a.m. appointments unless I know they will be a brief chat. I also ensure that I map out strategic pop-ins throughout my day. If I know I have a student I need to keep an extra eye on, I may mobilize my office and strategically work in a class or two where that student resides. I also send out an email to teachers letting them know that if they need an extra eye in a classroom, or if they are doing something they would love for me to see, I will be mobilized at various times throughout the day. This creates a welcoming culture where administrators, teachers and students all collaborate together for the safety and well-being of kids. 
3. Know your plan. This one seems obvious, but if you have ever had to reiterate fire drill procedures to teachers who have been on your campus for over ten years, you feel my pain. Creating a plan, practicing a plan and revising a plan are still not all it takes to truly know a plan. I recommend pulling that plan out at least once a month (not just when a drill is scheduled) and reviewing the plan. Brainstorm scenarios with your colleagues about how you would respond based on a recent event on the news or something that a colleague shares with you from another school. This creates muscle memory so that when an emergency does occur, you are better rehearsed and prepared to guide your students and staff to safety, even if the situation doesn't have a set protocol or procedure in place. You will find that your muscle memory will guide you, allowing logic, rather than emotion, to lead your stakeholders to safety. 
4. Be good to yourself and others. One of the best pre-meditated crisis leadership strategies I know of is to practice necessary forms of self-care that allow you to function at your optimal level prior to a crisis ever occurring. Cultivate a daily rhythm that speaks life into your work. Start your day with a meditation, or read a chapter of scripture or a devotional before you ever step foot out of bed. Get in the practice of drinking a huge glass of water as quickly as you can upon waking to rehydrate and energize for the day ahead. Move your body. Visualize yourself as a high-performing educational leader. What does she say? What does she do? These little rhythms that start our day can impact our ability to clearly navigate a crisis not if, but when a crisis occurs. When we give from a place of abundance, we can also be who we need to be for others. We exude kindness, empathy, and peace of mind, body and soul. In a crisis, there is no other leader I would have more confidence in than one who demonstrates a level of clarity and calm control in his or her normal day-to-day. How can you offer this to yourself, and to your staff pre-crisis?

These strategies might not save you from experiencing a crisis, but they will mitigate the likelihood of a severe crisis occurring and better prepare you when that alarm goes off or that news report comes through. When you walk into chaos from a place of stability and clarity that exudes from your daily operations, you are already a step ahead of the pack.