Written by Michael Szudarek

There’s a widely held belief that the best leaders simply trust their gut — that instinct and experience are enough to navigate high-pressure situations. But when a crisis hits and decisions need to be made in real time, instinct alone can fall dangerously short.

Carol Kauffman, founder of the Institute of Coaching at Harvard, has spoken about this exact issue. She warns that in high-stress environments, we’re prone to default to automatic behaviors. Habits that may feel right in the moment but can lead to poor outcomes if not checked by critical thinking.

At Marx Layne, we’ve seen this play out time and again. The leaders who handle crises most effectively are the ones who don’t just react — they assess. They know when to pause, reframe the situation, and apply the right strategy. That kind of discipline doesn’t happen by chance. It’s the result of ongoing training, reflection, and a commitment to learning from both experience and continued education in adversity communications.

Real leadership in a crisis isn’t about moving fast. It’s about moving smart. And that requires more than instinct. It requires a mindset built on preparation, perspective, and the ability to stay calm when others can’t.

This is why continued education in crisis and reputation management is at the core of what we do. It keeps our team sharp and our clients protected, no matter what hits the headlines next.