Leaders must shift from panic to a controlled emergency mode, set clear short-term priorities, and reshape routines to keep momentum and avoid burnout during crises.
When a major outage or security breach hits, the instinct is to drop everything and react wildly. The article argues that this frantic response erodes momentum and wastes weeks. Instead, leaders should recognize the first 48-hour shock window and then deliberately transition into an emergency mode that balances focus with sustainability.
In emergency mode, the leader defines a short-term plan: pause non-essential work, announce a clear "break" in the sprint, form task forces, and cancel recurring meetings that distract from the crisis. By making explicit choices and sticking to them, the organization avoids chaos and preserves energy.
After the immediate danger passes, the leader must decide whether to return to normal routines or establish a new normal. This may mean keeping task forces active, adjusting roadmaps, or redefining reporting structures for weeks or months. The piece uses examples like the COVID lockdown and Apple's ATT change to show how a structured, intentional response keeps teams focused and prevents burnout.
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