The leadership puzzle, unraveling crisis leadership

摘要

Within three months, the inquiry reported back presenting a range of recommendations including; the need for improved coordination between agencies, reduction of red tape and the creation of a centralised call and dispatch centre led by a non-uniformed public servant. In many ways, the lessons emanating from this disaster have echoed previous criticisms of responses where there is a belief that it could have been handled better. The recommendations presented have also pointed to the need for deep and sustained change to the way that organisations approach these events i.e. changes in command structures and ongoing relationships. Within the recommendations, there is also an implicit discussion of the type of leadership that is needed during the heat of an event to facilitate a successful outcome. This focus on leadership is something that pervades across all natural and manmade disaster events. It has become a touch point in the heavily scrutinised analysis that follows from major crises. Given this scrutiny, it is an opportune time to consider approaches to leadership which address the multiple challenges at hand.