You're It: Crisis, Change, and How to Lead When it Matters Most
By Leonard J. Marcus, Eric J. McNulty, Joseph M. Henderson and Barry C. Dorn Hachette Book Group, Inc. 259 Pages
This is a book for turbulent times. Today, in an instant, leaders can find themselves in a crisis situation. It can hit anywhere and at any time. It would be your "You're It" moment; are you prepared? That's the question four authors from Harvard's National Preparedness Leadership Initiative as and answer in their latest work, You're It: Crisis, Change, and How to Lead When it Matters Most. Distilled from best practices from the Harvard initiative, the book provides leaders with a practical, research-based foundation for thinking and acting with clarity, intention, and confidence in the face of crisis.
The authors lead readers through the tough decision-making processes inside the world's largest companies, hottest start-ups and leading non-profits. Illustrated with examples of crisis leadership—from 9/11 to Southwest's corporate culture, the book charts a step-by-step path to developing the pragmatic tools of what the authors call "Meta-leaders," one who is prepared for any challenge or change. Leaders will learn how to unify people toward a common purpose in what the authors call "swarm leadership," citing examples learned from the Boston Marathon bombing.
Readers will also learn to understand problems and build solutions from many different angles with "cone-in-the-cube thinking," and establish influence beyond authority to recruit key people to your cause, which the authors illustrate through examples culled from TSA's response to unsustainable security wait lines at airports. With these insights and exercises drawn from the experience of many of the world's most significant disasters, readers will learn to become "smarter than your brain" in the midst of a crisis to get yourself and others out of panic mode and into calm, effective activity.
The authors take readers on a journey through time highlighting the differences between two seminal moments in American history: The assassination of John F. Kennedy and the terrorist attacks of September 11. They point out that America was much more prepared for 9/11. Crisis systems were in place, much more so than in 1963, and that ultimately aided the recovery and response efforts greatly.
Meanwhile, readers will acquire the skills necessary to motivate and mobilize teams both within and across organizations. The book is filled with practical insights so when crisis strikes, you'll be ready to mobilize your Meta Leadership when it's your time to act. You'll know when "You're It!"
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