Crises bring out the best, and the worst, in people. Whatever the initial cause, they will invariably take us by surprise. People, like organisations, are seldom prepared for a crisis — we may have made poor decisions, taken risks, ignored warnings or failed to consider our external environment. Or, as in the case of COVID-19, dismissed it as someone else’s problem.
In times of crisis, people must work together. Some sectors will suffer more than others, but in all cases authenticity, trust and engagement in our business relationships are crucial.
But the decisions we make, and how we communicate them, can devalue and even destroy relationships.
What practical actions can we take to ensure that our key relationships are maintained and strengthened?
