Navigating corporate challenges during turbulent times: Strategies for a CEO and their associates
In the world of business, leaders have a crucial role to play, especially during uncertain times. Andrey Sharov, the head honcho at National Alliance for Social and Environmental Responsibility, Corporate Governance, and Sustainable Development, sparked a discussion about the qualities a true leader should possess and the tasks they must undertake.
Born to Lead in Crisis
In a candid talk, Maxim Valetsky, the co-founder of Mr.Doors, highlighted the indispensable role of leaders during crises. In his words, "Without a leader, a team won't survive a crisis." As today's business landscape is constantly evolving at a lightning speed, fueled by artificial intelligence, leaders will soon find themselves in a supportive role, managing AI that will handle most business functions. Valetsky shared his company's transformation during a crisis in the mid-2010s. The mission morphed to focus solely on employees — the company vowed to protect them in conflicts with clients, improve their quality of life, and boost morale through charitable programs.
"Leaders are chaos wranglers, creating order from chaos," asserts Andrey Shpanko, an expert in leadership, organizational behavior, ethics, and cross-cultural communication. He added that nobody consciously aspires to become a leader, but certain factors motivate people to follow a leader. These factors can be instrumental (achieving important goals), social (providing protection), psychodynamic (boosting self-confidence), or cognitive (helping to understand and make sense of things).
Building Strong Teams
According to Alexander Sisoev, founder of 2GIS, the primary task of a leader is to build a strong team. He recounted his journey through challenging times, finally adopting FMCG management models. Today, 2GIS emphasizes the importance of a special course for potential leaders—dubbed "Fast Start"—which is essentially an MBA compressed into two weeks. It focuses on values, proper termination, and nurturing a culture of care and control. The headquarters of 2GIS is a hub of services, with a factory kitchen, café, kindergarten, middle school, cleaning services, and more, catering to the daily needs of staff.
Leonid Sergeev, the general director of "Air Gates of the Northern Capital" (VVCS since 2010 — operator of Pulkovo Airport), stresses the importance of shared values among team members. He revealed that finding the right approach to each client directly impacts the company's commercial results, with maximum comfort and smoothness being the key drivers, encompassing passenger processes, staff courtesy, and airport aesthetics. In response to seasonal variations in passenger numbers, students are hired to help with tasks like registration, baggage handling, aircraft cleaning, and more, within a project called "Runway."
Transforming with the Times
Elena Tyabutova, the general director of "Arnest UniRussia" (formerly "Unilever Russia"), agreed on the need for mindful engagement with the team. She emphasized the importance of adapting to changing consumer demands and market trends. Tyabutova championed digital transformation, stating that it is vital to foster flexibility within the top management team, engage in dialogue with employees, and encourage entrepreneurial thinking. She believes that her mission is to find the perfect solutions not only during uncertain times but also in calm periods.
In conclusion, Sharov strongly advocated for being prepared for crises instead of waiting for one to strike. Effective leaders shoulder the responsibility of acknowledging the challenges ahead and strategizing proactively to ensure their company's endurance during hardships.
- Maxim Valetsky, co-founder of Mr.Doors, emphasized that leaders play an indispensable role during crises, stating, "Without a leader, a team won't survive a crisis."
- Andrey Shpanko, an expert in leadership, asserted that a true leader wrangles chaos, creating order from it in the business world.
- Alexander Sisoev, founder of 2GIS, believes the primary task of a leader is to build a strong team, a task he achieved by adopting FMCG management models and creating a special course for potential leaders, "Fast Start."
- Leonid Sergeev, general director of "Air Gates of the Northern Capital," highlighted the importance of shared values among team members, stating that finding the right approach to each client directly impacts the company's commercial results.
