THE POWER OF HABIT IN A CRISIS
10 Crisis Management Lessons Inspired by The Power of Habit
Over two decades of advising leaders and organizations through crises, I’ve been asked one question more times than I can count:
“Which books do you recommend to truly understand crisis management—and what can we actually learn from a crisis?”
The truth is, most books on the topic are either too technical, overly dense, or so narrowly focused on one angle—communications, emergency protocols, or reputation management—that they fail to capture the full picture.
That’s why, when I want to give clients an accessible yet profound way to understand crises, I always point them to Charles Duhigg’s bestseller, The Power of Habit.
While it isn’t a traditional crisis management manual, it offers something far more valuable: a clear look at the patterns that drive behavior during high-stakes moments. Duhigg reveals how crises unfold, what they expose about an organization, and—most importantly—how they can become the spark for transformation.
There’s a central idea woven through the book, even if it’s never written explicitly:
“In a crisis, habit becomes destiny.”
When the pressure is on, organizations don’t react logically—they react habitually. And those habits, or the lack of them, often lay bare the structural weaknesses no one saw before.
One chapter in particular—The Power of a Crisis: How Leaders Create Habits Accidentally or by Design—dives into the anatomy of organizational crises. It shows how they can be traps or opportunities, but above all, how they can be leveraged as catalysts for lasting change.
From our work at Ventura Comunicaciones in crisis communications and reputation management, here are 10 essential lessons for leaders inspired by Duhigg’s insights.
1. Crises expose your organization’s real habits
When business runs smoothly, teams follow the playbook. But in chaos, the hidden habits surface—automatic reactions, communication breakdowns, and blurred lines of responsibility. These moments reveal the true culture of an organization.
2. A crisis is the best chance you’ll ever have to change
Nothing disrupts organizational inertia like a crisis. It’s a rare opening to fix what’s broken, strengthen what works, and redefine culture. Managed well, it’s the perfect moment to review processes, refresh leadership structures, and embed new ways of working.
3. Smart leaders use crises as strategic leverage
Some of the most effective leaders don’t just “manage” crises—they use them to restructure, improve processes, and strengthen culture. Even small crises, if handled with vision, can become powerful turning points.
4. Your leadership in a crisis writes your future reputation
People will remember how you led, long after they’ve forgotten the specifics of the crisis itself. Clarity, calm, and consistency are the hallmarks of leaders who emerge stronger. A poor response can haunt for years; a great one becomes your legacy.
5. Internal communication habits can save—or sink—you
Crises rarely escalate because of the original problem. They escalate because people fail to communicate quickly, clearly, and across the right channels internally. Strong internal communication habits are as critical as external messaging.
6. Role ambiguity equals guaranteed chaos
In the King’s Cross subway fire, everyone knew something was wrong—yet no one knew whose job it was to act. In a crisis, unclear roles feed chaos and delay response. Leadership responsibilities must be crystal clear before a crisis hits.
7. Protocols are meaningless if they’re not habitual
A crisis manual is worthless if it sits on a shelf. Protocols only work when they’re second nature—rehearsed, practiced, and embedded in daily routines.
8. A crisis is the best teacher you’ll never pay for
Painful as they are, crises teach faster and deeper than any training program. But the learning only matters if it’s institutionalized—captured in processes, shared across teams, and baked into culture.
9. Forgetting is your silent enemy
Some organizations just “move on” after a crisis. That’s the easiest way to repeat the same mistakes. At Ventura Comunicaciones, we always recommend post-crisis audits, debriefs, and drills to ensure lessons learned become permanent practice.
10. Every crisis is a chance to reconnect with purpose
A well-managed crisis is a powerful moment to realign with your mission and values. Leaders who seize this opportunity inspire loyalty, trust, and renewed commitment from employees, customers, and stakeholders.
In the end
A crisis isn’t solved with a press release or a media interview—it’s a test of character, a chance for reinvention, and a spotlight on your deepest organizational habits.
Is your organization ready for the next one?
At Ventura Comunicaciones, we help companies, institutions, and leaders design prevention, management, and recovery strategies for crises—with one guiding belief:
Communication isn’t an accessory.
It’s the core of leadership in challenging times.
Contact:
🌐 www.venturacomunicaciones.com
📧 fzambrano@venturacomunicaciones.com