Crisis leadership can be the toughest type of leadership—and the most crucial to master. Whether the stakes are literally life-and-death or just feel that way, this is the essential guide to keeping your team at their best when things are at their worst.

Successfully navigating a crisis doesn’t require an innate talent for high-pressure situations. It requires understanding why we act the way we do when business as usual is disrupted—and how to stay calm, think clearly, and execute on the right priorities.

Henry J. Evans has spent decades studying, practicing, and coaching other leaders through crises. He’s seen firsthand that whether a crisis is as deadly as roadside bombs during counterterrorism operations, as frustrating as bacon shortages during a pandemic, or as stressful as a family business on the edge of bankruptcy, the strategic, interpersonal, and emotional challenges are the same.

Drawing on psychology, brain science, vivid true stories, and proven tools and tactics, Evans shows readers how to:

• Juggle the demands of today’s crisis without dropping the ball on tomorrow’s priorities.

• Decide when to trust data and AI and when to trust their gut instincts.

• Hold people accountable without destroying their sense of Emotional Safety.®

• Take care of the team’s needs without sacrificing the leader’s well-being.

This is an invaluable guide for entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, and anyone trying to guide a team through tough times. It includes practical tools for honing your resilience, reaction times, listening and communication skills, threat assessment, emotional regulation, and more.