I have always enjoyed sharing some topics, and I have done it based on questions and definitions so that each reader can get to their own knowledge in a simple way. Obviously, this will not be the exception and I return from my article "No more leadership in disguise" this phrase:
"People with the clearest and most prepared minds are the simplest"
(Jack Welch GM President)
And what is the problem with the crisis?
There are many valuable definitions, some with more or less confusing terminology, I opted for the simplicity that provides knowledge, saying Crisis is: "A s ITUATION serious that the change requires us and can put in danger the stability of an organized structure, of a matter or a process ”.
Now, we go in parts:
Starting from that definition, and if we stop to analyze some concepts, from the business field, I want to take them to strip the concept of CRISIS, of that “little fool” that we always place as if it were a catastrophe; that it is not more than a bitter whiff to where the ignorance has taken us; just mentioning it, produces powerlessness, discomfort, and mentally an environment of deterioration, decline, loss, chaos. To make matters worse, it is also a mental and attitudinal crisis for its managers. Now, what to say about mentioning the CRISIS and what it can produce depending on where you mention it, to whom and how you mention it.
A challenge: I invite you if you are aware of it, do it in a primary team meeting before your bosses. Can you imagine what could happen?
I have never understood why when a loved one has "SYMPTOMS" of any illness, for love I immediately turn to seek medical and specialist services to remove that pain, suffering or possibly save his life.
How not to do it for my company or for which I work?
The most common reaction is to deny the problem, justify it, disguise it, not accept it or find guilty parties; making the situation worse, and worse still, not seeking help in time, out of pride, denial, or blindness, and making hasty decisions amid despair and anguish. Please!. Let's not wait until the company dies or keep it artificial.
Let's continue with the purpose initially outlined and refer back to the definition and highlighted words:
Situation:
We can understand it as a series of circumstances or events that occur at a certain moment, it is reality at a zero moment. Reality that we can find altered or stable.
Change:
It is a verb because it implies action, since it is about leaving one situation for another that, more than a need, is an obligation of the organization at the head of its leaders and is based on the vision that management has drawn up in search of a better administrative, social and technical performance.
Danger:
The danger will always be interacting with the uncertainty, the risk and the threat, then, it is the possibility of damage to a situation that was believed to be stable. We can summarize that " Danger is a cause of risk by a latent threat."
Stability:
Ability that a manager and his team have to keep the company in balance despite the internal and external events and events that permanently threaten it.
These definitions help us to understand in an understandable way why and why we must strip the CRISIS concept of any negative feeling, since they are common situations for any company.
The crisis; it is only that moment where it is strictly necessary and obligatory to leave the old customs and opt for new things. In other words: It is facing change and all that it entails such as risk, chance, uncertainty, danger, challenges and opportunities; it is simply a drastic change in a situation and circumstances.
But rejoice; it is a situation of imbalance and temporary disorders, and it can be overcome depending on the opportunity and effectiveness with which we face it; The CRISIS tests our adaptability, leadership and correct management of all resources; as well as our knowledge and our internal and external work team.
As I do not like to miss anything that hinders the understanding or dimension of what I intend to express; I want it to be understood: I refer to knowledge as the stage reached after having acquired information, having contextualized it, having acquired abilities, skills, expertise and all this has been shared.
When we identify that the CRISIS arrives; We really have a problem, but; We can begin by understanding a problem such as the “difference between what it really is, what we currently have and what we want it to be; it is this duty to be that we always look for in organizations ”, so it is a change that comes full of challenges and opportunities that we must face proactively and this must be preoccupied. Take care before it's too late, take care of that strategic vision that knowledge can give leaders.
The crisis is not really an opportunity, but it is that situation that forces us to get out of the comfort zone and that lethargy where we often keep organizations immersed; and get out of there to take advantage of new opportunities.
In general, we identify and associate the crisis from a purely financial point of view. Nothing more wrong. Although its effects are always reflected in the bottom line of the income statement (earnings), its origins can be diverse. We continue to confuse causes with consequences.
In a future article, expect answers to many questions regarding the CRISIS, such as:
- Where do CRISIS come from ?
- Are CRISIS generated in good times?
- Sooner or later your company will suffer a CRISIS ?
- Do you know of any university curriculum that includes learning to manage the CRISIS ?
- How to face a CRISIS ?
