Every day, your team depends on you for direction. And, in a crisis, which could be anything from a malfunctioned product to the loss of a key employee, your ability to lead your team to a resolution is critical to your company's overall performance and reputation.

Having a process for handling a crisis and being aware of key leadership practices will better prepare you for effective action in the real world and allow you to lead your team through a difficult situation.

Leaders who have the ability to remain calm and focus on communicating with others in difficult situations will have the most success.

Approximately one-half of the respondents from our last poll believe staying calm is the most important skill a leader can have during a crisis, and a significant percentage of respondents (41%) considers resourcefulness the most important skill.

Ask AchieveGlobal:

Q: The problem with crisis leadership is you never know when to plan or what to plan for. How can I prepare for crisis management?

A: To prepare for crisis management, ask yourself what things you can anticipate and give some thought to what you might need, such as:

Contact lists

Communication process - when, what, and to whom

Resources you might need

Action plans for the most likely or most impactful crises

As our poll results suggest, the two most important skills a leader can have during a crisis are to stay calm and be resourceful. Staying calm allows you to think clearly to make appropriate decisions and can even be your best asset when making a pivotal decision. Having the ability to think quickly and work with available resources will be a valuable asset, as well.

In leadership training, preparing for crisis management isn't an exact science; however, studying AchieveGlobal's six leadership zones and focusing on the People zone will greatly improve your ability to handle any crisis that may arise. Key practices like projecting confidence, inspiring trust, and reading others' emotions are crucial.