I’ve done a lot of work this year with boards on crisis preparation and management. And I’ve started to notice something consistent: the things they’re worried about and the things that actually matter in a crisis are often different.
Most boards have documentation. Clear plans. Detailed scenarios. They’ve put real thought into this. But there’s usually a gap between what’s on paper and what actually happens when pressure comes.
It’s not that the plans are bad. It’s just that certain things don’t get included because they’re harder to document. They’re messier. They require something different than writing a strategy. It’s almost as if boards are scared to put them on paper.
Over the years, I’ve seen boards miss the same five things. Repeatedly. And when I point them out, it’s a lightbulb moment..
Here’s what I’ve learned. Not to criticise what’s already been built. But because knowing the gap exists means you can actually do something about it.
If you want to bridge the gap between what is written on paper and how your leadership team performs under pressure, find out how our crisis planning and preparation services can support you.
