Stop overusing the word “crisis.”
Every time you mention the word “crisis,” managers have learned to cut off these discussions quickly by denying whatever you suggest is as serious as you make it sound. Or, they may even respond that such events only happen to less experienced/knowledgeable managers or lower quality organizations.
Anyone who has been a victim of any tragic circumstance will cringe upon hearing the word. Many actually begin to relive whatever the disastrous situation in their life that they felt was a crisis.
Studies of survivors and recovery workers following the 9/11 attacks demonstrated that both victims and responders often relive the worst part of their bad experiences. Stop triggering this. Even 25 years after the event, the word “crisis” can revictimize. Switch to “readiness.” It’s tougher to do than it sounds, but much more positive response from managers and leaders will encourage you to take this step.
Those same studies and very recent ones led to the new and better language preparation for catastrophic events: “readiness.” This word, it turns out, is a very powerful management concept. Automatic response from management is generally, “What can we do? What should we do? How do we get this done?” Using the word “crisis” makes you join the very non-exclusive club called “The Chicken Little Society.” Their motto is, “The sky is falling.” You need to ask yourself why the ceiling never collapses and the sky never falls regardless of how dramatic you make it sound.
Stop damaging your own credibility and reliability. Start building your management and leadership vocabulary beginning with the word “readiness.” Remember the truth, crises are very, very rare. But troubles and problems exist by the pound in every organization.
Crises always create victims. No victims, no crisis, but a real crisis is always a serious problem.
©2026, James E. Lukaszewski. Contact the copyright holder at jel@e911.com for information and reproduction permissions. Editing or excerpting is forbidden.