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Wellness 2.0: Rising to the Occasion

By Hidden Brain Media

What makes someone a great leader during a crisis? In this episode of Hidden Brain, psychologist Adam Galinsky examines contrasting approaches to crisis leadership. He explores examples of ineffective leaders paralyzed by fear, like the disastrous Costa Concordia shipwreck, versus leaders who remain calm and decisive, such as the Thai soccer team's coach and heroic pilot Tammy Jo Shultz.

Galinsky identifies key traits effective leaders exhibit—from instilling hope and resilience in others, to drawing on prior training to take decisive action. The episode delves into the "amplification effect" where a leader's composed demeanor can reassure those around them and what Galinsky calls "terry cloth leaders"—highly skilled yet also deeply caring individuals who combine competence with genuine empathy.

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Wellness 2.0: Rising to the Occasion

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Wellness 2.0: Rising to the Occasion

1-Page Summary

Ineffective Crisis Leadership

Psychologist Adam Galinsky observes how Costa Concordia captain Francesco Cetino's misguided priorities, like protecting his reputation over passenger safety, exemplify ineffective crisis leadership. Cetino delayed rescue efforts, tried covering up mistakes, and ultimately abandoned ship while passengers struggled—actions driven by panic, selfishness, and total denial of responsibility. Galinsky notes that such negligence stems from leaders becoming paralyzed by fear and acting solely out of self-interest rather than concern for those they should protect.

Effective Crisis Leadership

In contrast, the Thai soccer team's Coach Ek demonstrated remarkable crisis leadership when his team became trapped in a flooded cave. Coach Ek worked tirelessly to find an escape, instituted hopeful routines like singing, and provided individualized support through techniques like meditation—a skill from his Buddhist monk training. Galinsky states Coach Ek's cautious language and optimistic narratives shaped the team's resilient mindset.

Coach Ek employed practices from difficult past experiences to help the team endure deprivation. Galinsky says Coach Ek's trauma and monastic life taught him to adapt calmly to harsh conditions—an approach Galinsky likens to "controlling one's sails in unpredictable winds."

Prior Training Shapes Crisis Response

In another case, pilot Tammy Jo Schultz drew from her training to take decisive actions like strategically landing near fire trucks after an engine explosion. Galinsky describes the "leader amplification effect" where a leader's calm demeanor, like Schultz maintaining normal vitals, has an "infectious effect" reassuring others.

Galinsky calls leaders like Schultz "terry cloth leaders"—highly skilled yet deeply caring. She combined expert maneuvering with checking on each passenger, showcasing the importance of competence and empathy in effective crisis leadership.

1-Page Summary

Additional Materials

Counterarguments

  • While Cetino's actions are widely criticized, it could be argued that the chaos of the situation may have impaired his judgment, and that even trained leaders can make poor decisions under extreme stress.
  • The comparison between Cetino and Coach Ek might overlook contextual differences between maritime and cave rescue scenarios, which could impact the nature and effectiveness of leadership responses.
  • The concept of "terry cloth leaders" might oversimplify the complex nature of leadership by suggesting that only those with a combination of high skill and deep caring can be effective in crisis situations.
  • The idea that prior training always shapes crisis response could be challenged by noting that some individuals may fail to apply their training effectively in real-world crises due to factors like panic or unforeseen circumstances.
  • The "leader amplification effect" might not always hold true, as followers' reactions can be influenced by a variety of factors beyond the leader's demeanor, such as their own personal experiences and the severity of the crisis.
  • The narrative may not fully acknowledge the role of teamwork and the contributions of other individuals in crisis situations, potentially attributing too much of the success to the leader alone.

Actionables

  • You can practice crisis decision-making through simulation games that require quick thinking and moral choices, like "Pandemic: The Board Game" or "Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes," to develop a calm and decisive mindset in stressful situations.
    • These games often put you in high-pressure scenarios where you must make critical decisions that affect the outcome for all players. By engaging in these simulations, you can reflect on your choices and learn to manage panic, prioritize effectively, and communicate clearly under pressure, which are key aspects of crisis leadership.
  • Start a personal journal to document your responses to daily challenges, focusing on your emotional state, decision-making process, and the impact of your actions on others.
    • Keeping a journal allows you to analyze your behavior over time, identify patterns of selfishness or denial of responsibility, and work on developing a more empathetic and responsible approach to problem-solving. This self-reflection can be crucial in understanding how you might react in a crisis and in improving your leadership qualities.
  • Engage in mindfulness or meditation practices to cultivate a calm and focused mind, which can be beneficial during unexpected crises.
    • Mindfulness exercises, such as deep breathing or guided meditations available through apps like Headspace or Calm, can help you maintain composure and think clearly when faced with adversity. By regularly practicing these techniques, you can build a foundation of inner peace that can influence others positively in stressful situations, much like the calm demeanor of effective crisis leaders.

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Wellness 2.0: Rising to the Occasion

Ineffective crisis leadership: The psychology of panic, selfishness, and denial of responsibility

The case of the Italian cruise ship Costa Concordia and its captain, Francesco Cittino, exemplifies the catastrophic results of ineffective crisis leadership fraught with panic, selfishness, and a denial of responsibility.

A cruise ship captain's disastrous response when his vessel hits a reef, prioritizing his own safety over that of his passengers

When the Costa Concordia, carrying more than 3,000 passengers and 1,000 crew members, struck a reef, it left a massive gash in the ship's hull and precipitated a chaotic and perilous situation. Captain Francesco Cittino failed to respond appropriately to the emergency—he delayed alerting the authorities and focused on concocting a story to absolve himself of responsibility rather than organizing an immediate rescue operation. This inaction and his refusal to supervise the evacuation led to significant delays in rescue efforts.

The captain, Francesco Cittino, fails to alert authorities promptly, tries to cover up his mistakes, and ultimately abandons ship while passengers are left to fend for themselves

Further compounding the disaster, Cittino claimed an accidental fall into a lifeboat was the reason for his early abandonment. Once aboard the lifeboat, he made no effort to return to the vessel, arguing that he could coordinate the rescue from his position—a claim that held little weight given the unfolding tragedy on the cruise ship. This self-preserving decision by Cittino not only betrayed the trust placed in him as captain but also contributed to the tragic loss of 32 lives.

Cetino not only steered the ship toward dangerous waters without good reason but also prioritized changing out of his uniform to avoid being recognized as the captain by others in the lifeboat. His actions following the ship’s collision—his delays, denials, and self-focused behavior—were staggering in their irresponsibility and led to his conviction and a 16-year prison sentence for multiple counts, including manslaughter and abandoning ship.

The psychological factors that can lead leaders to crack under pressure, such as a focus on protecting one's reputation and attempting to shift blame to others

Psychologist Adam Galinsky observes that Cetino's preoccupation with self-image and defending his reputation overwhelmed his capacity to lead effectively ...

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Ineffective crisis leadership: The psychology of panic, selfishness, and denial of responsibility

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Clarifications

  • The Costa Concordia incident occurred on January 13, 2012, when the cruise ship deviated from its planned route, struck a rock formation, and partially sank off the coast of Isola del Giglio, Italy. The captain, Francesco Schettino, faced criticism for leaving the ship prematurely, leading to casualties and a complex salvage operation. The incident highlighted failures in crisis leadership, with Schettino's actions resulting in loss of life and legal consequences. The salvage operation to recover the ship was one of the largest maritime salvage efforts in history.
  • Captain Francesco Cittino failed to promptly alert authorities after the Costa Concordia struck a reef, delaying rescue efforts. He abandoned the ship early, claiming an accidental fall into a lifeboat, and did not attempt to return to aid in the rescue. Cittino prioritized changing out of his uniform to avoid being recognized as the captain, displaying self-focused behavior during the crisis. These actions, including delays, denials, and self-preservation, led to his conviction and a 16-year prison sentence for multiple charges, including manslaughter and abandoning ship.
  • Captain Francesco Cittino faced legal consequences, including a 16-year prison sentence, for multiple charges such as manslaughter and abandoning ship. These charges were a result of his actions during the Costa Concordia disaster, where his ineffective crisis leadership led to significant loss of life. Cittino's behavior, characterized by delays, denials, and self-preservation, contributed to the tragic outcome and his subsequent conviction. The legal repercussions underscored the seriousness of his actions and the need for accountability in crisis situations.
  • In crisis situations, leaders can be influenced by psychological factors like fear, self-interest, and a need to protect their reputation. These factors may lead to a loss of focus on responsibilities, decision-making driven by personal concerns rather than the welfare of others, and a failure to acknowledge their role in the crisis. Such psychological pressures can result in leaders making poor choices that harm those they are meant to lead and protect.
  • Dr. Adam Galinsky, a psychologist, highlighted how Captain Francesco Cittino's focus on protecting his reputation hindered his crisis leadership abilities during the Costa Concordia disaster. Galinsky emphasized that Cittino's actions reflected a prioritization of self-interest over responsibility, leading to sever ...

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Wellness 2.0: Rising to the Occasion

Effective crisis leadership: Strategies for maintaining calm, providing hope, and enabling others

When facing a crisis, effective leadership can mean the difference between despair and hope, chaos and calm. An inspiring example of such leadership is provided by Coach Ek, who led his soccer team through an ordeal when they became trapped in a flooded cave.

A soccer coach's inspiring actions to support and guide his team when they become trapped in a flooded cave

After becoming unexpectedly trapped by a severe downpour, Coach Ek spurred his team to dig through the roof of the cave to escape. He inspired action by working tirelessly, even to the point of injury, and instituted a singing routine to maintain morale. Coach Ek ensured the team had a structured schedule and collected clean water for survival. He gave individual attention to encourage the team members and led meditation sessions, which was essential in conserving energy and oxygen as levels ran low.

The power of language and framing in a crisis, and how a leader's emotional state can profoundly impact those they're leading

The language a leader uses during a crisis can shape the team's emotional response. Coach Ek avoided words like "trapped" that might incite panic, instead maintaining an environment of calmness, strength, optimism, and hope. His cautious language, combined with narratives of hope, like describing what they would do once they escaped, helped sustain the boys through their ordeal.

The importance of building on past experiences and developing practices that build resilience

Coach Ek's training as a Buddhist monk equipped him with the tools to effectively manage stress and maintain morale in the face of deprivation. Fasting and meditation, practices he learned in his training, allowed him and the boys to survive low provisions and helped conserve oxygen. His experience taught them to accept their situation while controlling their reaction ...

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Effective crisis leadership: Strategies for maintaining calm, providing hope, and enabling others

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Actionables

  • You can create a personal resilience mantra by reflecting on past challenges you've overcome and crafting a short, empowering phrase to repeat during stressful times. This mantra serves as a reminder of your strength and ability to endure tough situations, similar to how a singing routine can uplift spirits. For example, if you've successfully navigated a difficult job transition, your mantra might be "I thrive through change."
  • Start a daily five-minute mindfulness practice to build your mental fortitude in the face of adversity. Just as meditation helped conserve energy and maintain calm in the cave, regular mindfulness can train your brain to respond more calmly to stress. Use a simple breathing technique where you focus on the sensation of air entering and leaving your nostrils, which can be done anywhere, anytime you feel overwhelmed.
  • Develop a personal contingency plan for unexpected ...

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Wellness 2.0: Rising to the Occasion

The role of prior experiences and training in shaping how people respond to emergencies

The way people respond to emergencies can be significantly influenced by their prior experiences and the training they have received, with remarkable examples like pilot Tammy Jo Schultz's handling of an in-flight crisis.

A pilot's cool-headed actions in safely landing a crippled plane after an engine explosion

When the left engine of her plane exploded and tore a hole in the aircraft's side, Tammy Jo Schultz drew upon her prior experience and training to remain calm under pressure. She took immediate and decisive actions, such as landing the plane next to fire trucks as a precaution against fire and adjusting the wing flaps to help passengers exit quickly if necessary. After landing, she communicated with each passenger individually, providing comfort and reassurance, including to a little girl whom she made feel special.

The "leader amplification effect" - how a leader's actions and emotional state can have an outsized impact on those they lead

The "leader amplification effect," as described by Adam Galinsky, is a phenomenon where a leader's emotional state can significantly influence their team. Galinsky illustrates that recalling experiences of being in control can induce physiological changes, decreasing stress and making leaders feel more in control. Tammy Jo Schultz returned to flying shortly after the incident demonstrating her confidence in flying, thus influencing others’ perceptions and reactions. Her calm conduct amidst the chaos had an infectious effect, transforming passengers' panic into a sense of possibility.

The importance of combining competence and caring in effective leadership

Tammy Jo Schultz embodies the merging of competence with caring—an essential combination in effective leadership. With passengers sending goodbye messages in the belief that they ...

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The role of prior experiences and training in shaping how people respond to emergencies

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • The "leader amplification effect" describes how a leader's emotional state can significantly impact their team. When leaders feel in control, it can reduce stress and enhance their sense of control. This phenomenon can influence the team's emotions and reactions, creating a ripple effect within the group. Ta ...

Counterarguments

  • While prior experiences and training are important, individual personality traits and innate responses to stress can also play a significant role in emergency response.
  • Not all individuals with similar training and experience as Tammy Jo Schultz may respond in the same effective manner, suggesting that other factors contribute to performance under pressure.
  • The "leader amplification effect" may not always lead to positive outcomes; a leader's negative emotional state could also amplify stress and panic in a team.
  • Returning to flying quickly after an incident could be seen as confidence, but it might also be perceived as a lack of processing the emotional impact of the event, which could have long-term psychological effects.
  • The concept of effective leadership being a combination of competence and caring may not encompass all leadership styles that can be effective in different contexts or cultures.
  • While Schultz's calm demeanor had a positive effect on passengers, in some sit ...

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