Walk into any office building, and you’ll likely see an emergency evacuation plan posted on a wall with clear instructions on what to do in the event of a fire. The plan is something everyone hopes they never have to use, but it’s readily accessible if needed.
Yet, when it comes to actual business emergencies, many companies don’t have a plan to follow. Capterra’s 2023 Crisis Communications Survey found that only 49% of companies have a formal crisis plan. But plans aren’t needed just for natural disasters or cyberattacks; they need to consider losing a key person in the company, which can add shock and grief.
Grief in the workplace affects motivation, focus, trust, leadership, morale, and the business flow. Everyone processes loss differently—while some may appear to move on quicker, others need more time to heal. It’s essential to create an environment where employees can grieve, share, and process their feelings openly.
Why Every Business Needs A Crisis Plan
When companies face such a loss, having an actionable crisis plan can prevent panic and confusion, maintain stability, and enable the organization to adapt and move forward. A plan provides a foundational framework to follow and establishes clear roles and accountability in advance, preventing confusion, duplication, or missed tasks later.
Effective communication during a crisis is critical. Being honest about the company’s current situation, while acknowledging challenges, builds trust and reduces uncertainty.
Rod Neuenschwander, co-founder of Giftology and author of From Crisis to Clarity, has led other businesses through crisis and recently navigated the loss of his business partner and best friend, John Ruhlin.
Neuenschwander stated in an interview with me, “I like to use a one-page plan framework to provide the focus and the guardrails, but then you need to move fast because the action is how you learn, and then you just make adjustments along the way.”
Having An Effective Crisis Strategy
Neuenschwander’s approach highlights the importance of simplicity, self-awareness, and speed in crisis management. He offers three key steps for navigating a crisis:
- Simplify and focus on the highest priorities.
- Know who you are—your strengths and what the team can do.
- Move fast with the plan to avoid paralysis.
SurveyMonkey provides a strong example of transparent leadership and mission focus after the sudden loss of CEO Dave Goldberg. Their open communication about grief and uncertainty helped the company stabilize, grow, and eventually go public with a $2 billion valuation.
Similarly, the Fast & Furious 7 production team paused filming to grieve the loss of Paul Walker, then brought together creative minds to find a way to finish the project successfully. By using CGI, body doubles, and script rewrites, they were able to honor Walker’s legacy while completing the film.
While no one can truly replace a key leader, others can step into their own roles and leverage their personal strengths to keep the business going and even drive innovation.
Beyond crisis response, having a proactive crisis plan can bring innovation and strengthen company culture. Leaders who are present, empathetic, and transparent during difficult times build trust and resilience that last beyond the crisis itself.
Developing or reviewing your organization’s crisis plan is a proactive way to stay prepared. Not only does a framework help in a crisis, but it can also inspire innovation and create a stronger mission for the team now.
This plan is something you hope you never have to use, but being prepared allows you to pivot calmly, confidently, and creatively if needed. It puts the technical pieces in place and gives you time to process your grief and support others who are also mourning.
The company may never be the same without them, but it can grow into the legacy they would be proud to have built and left behind.