Recently I've had the opportunity to share my views on leadership in times of crisis on the Austrian business news platform Leadersnet.at. My learnings and insights from the GEMBA programme play an important role in shaping my response to the current challenges, and I am pleased to share the English version of my reflections below.  The current crisis is presenting unprecedented challenges to every single executive

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An old African tale tells the story of when a fire erupted in the forest. All animals started running and amongst them there was the king of the forest, the lion. Whilst he was fleeing, he lifted his head and saw a hummingbird flying in the opposite direction.

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A few months ago, I had a level of stability that I was grateful for and ‘knew’ that it would remain so. I felt that I had a certain amount of agency over my life and career. My coaching and training work in Hong Kong (after our move from Mainland China) was not just showing a pulse: it looked as if it was on its way to thriving into a successful business. My first book had been published, and the next couple were written and ready as well.  Anxiety, helplessness and worry

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We are living in the midst of the deepest recession in human history. The International Monetary Fund expects a 3% decline in global GDP this year, the European Union’s economy will contract by 7.4% and perhaps most pessimistically, the International Labour Organisation expects an equivalent of 305 million full-time jobs to be have been lost by the end of June. In every direction, there is a new story of doom and gloom.

• Read more about 5 Things I Did to Land Five Job Offers During a Recession

The “Circuit Breaker” song project came together as the result of several experiences that I believe are characteristic of an MBA year at INSEAD:

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A lot is being said about how to be successful with your job search during uncertain times. However, I don’t see job search as some mystical creature that needs demystification. It’s a matter of common sense with a good dose of being clear about your career goals, being realistic, being committed and being in the right mindset. Being clear about your career goals.

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It might be strange to imagine the MBA as a place for failures when it’s usually associated with success. After all, many of us are hoping that forgoing a year of work experience, paying not only a tuition fee but the opportunity cost of lost wages, will be worth the career growth that results from earning an MBA.

• Read more about When Things Don’t Go the Way You Want

Business schools teach ‘business as usual’ topics. This is understandable as they are the tools that we use the most on a day-to-day basis. Typical courses in strategy, finance, accounting, economics etc. study how things work in ‘normal’ conditions.

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“Are the firms still hiring?” “Should I still look for a job or should I just take a break from job search?” If these questions have crossed your mind, you are not alone.  Although hiring has slowed down, there is a general consensus among a number of professionals from different sectors that it has not completely stopped. 

• Read more about 8 Tips for Executives to Manage Their Job Search During COVID-19

One never forgets the delicious taste of freedom. For me, it was in the form of pizza. Fresh from the oven, topped with salami, olives, and cheese. Why pizza? Because that was my final dine-in meal, right before COVID-19 forced France into lockdown.

• Read more about A Fired Up Feast at INSEAD, Fueled by COVID-19