Cambridge Business Association
Stronger Through Adversity
Book

Stronger Through Adversity

World-Class Leaders Share Pandemic-Tested Lessons on Thriving During the Toughest Challenges

Joseph A. Michelli
McGraw-Hill, 2020
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Editorial Rating

8

Qualities

  • Applicable
  • Well Structured
  • Concrete Examples

Recommendation

Author Joseph Michelli interviewed leaders from almost 150 firms across industries to understand how they successfully navigated Covid-19. The resulting chapters – each with a list of planning tools – cover safety, communications,  decision-making, collaboration and change. The advice and tools, which also work in normal times, guide leaders who want to better manage – or even take advantage of – the next crisis. Crises magnify leaders’ impact, so they should reflect on how they want people to remember their actions and decisions during crises, then prepare their plans and priorities accordingly.

Summary

Unlike the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the COVID-19 pandemic affected everyone.

COVID-19 forced people and organizations across all sectors and industries to make decisions, respond and adapt quickly. 

Societies and economies have bounced back from much worse – including plagues, infectious diseases like smallpox, and other crises. Common coping strategies and practices can help you and your organization recover from the pandemic and emerge even stronger than you were before COVID-19.

During any crisis, a disproportionate amount of responsibility and pressure falls on leaders.

Many leaders believe they must contribute relentlessly and sacrifice themselves, or else reveal themselves as weak and not up to the task. But before leaders can help others, they must take care of themselves. This includes taking wellness breaks, getting sufficient sleep, exercising, eating well and reflecting on their feelings.

The pandemic changed everything. New and unfamiliar ways of working emphasized the need for learning from others, even competitors. Leaders joined discussion groups, reached...

About the Author

Joseph A. Michelli leads his own public speaking and consulting firm where he guides organizations through transformational change and deeper customer engagement. 

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