Crisis Management and Leadership

Abstract

In this seminar you will learn how to quickly develop useful solutions in complex situations under time pressure and with incomplete information using a heuristic process as a person in charge (e.g. team leader).

Objective

After taking this course, students will be able to: • develop timely solutions autonomously in situations with limited information and time constraints (personal competences, application); • use heuristic procedures to reduce complex problems and make them solvable in an ad hoc context (methodological competences, application); • develop and present concepts in groups and reflect on the interpersonal challenges in such contexts (social skills, application and understanding); • draw on expertise from other courses in order to recognise the connections between business planning and scientific research (discursive skills, understanding); • gain initial personal experience in the management and leadership of crises (experiential knowledge).

Content

In the first part of this class, you will learn the elements of a generic heuristic problem-solving procedure step by step over the course of four double lessons. You will be introduced to the theoretical foundations of each step, after which you will be given an assignment to complete by applying the newly learned process steps. During the next lecture, we will discuss the solutions together and provide feedback. The aim of this first part is to prepare students to handle complex crisis situations and apply the learned concepts. in business and private contexts. The second part of the course involves participating in a fully immersive, 48-hour crisis simulation. This class is conducted at the Leadership and Communication Training Command of the Swiss Armed Forces. The case study, which focuses on a corporate business facing an emerging crisis, is designed to mirror the conditions, constraints and decision-making pressures of real-world crisis management. As a class, you will form a Crisis, Emergency & Incident Response Team (CEIRT) and respond to evolving scenarios, incomplete information and time pressure. Throughout the simulation, your team will be supported by coaches with practical leadership and management experience and challenged by an experienced simulation crew. At the end of the semester, achievements are recognised, and feedback is exchanged between lecturers and students to consolidate the learning journey.

Resources