Founders, Do You Have a Plan for the End of the World?

Founders and CEOs have a lot of tasks and responsibilities. Coaching the team, becoming a mentor for newcomers, and preparing for the end of the world. Yes, one of them is not like the other, but preparing for a crisis of any nature is one of the key responsibilities of any leader.

So, founders, do you have a plan for the future?

Do you know what steps you will take in any scenario?

Having gone through several serious crises in the last 10 years, I have come up with 3 main steps to take when it seems that the world is collapsing around you.

1. Do not panic

Through the years, I have found panic is never worth the trouble. Your head becomes misty, you do not know what to do, and you end up having to calm yourself instead of making the right decisions.

In a crisis situation, put your emotional intelligence to work. Specifically self-regulation. Keep your head cool and remain in control of the situation, no matter what is thrown at you.

When it comes to founders, CEOs, and senior business partners, panic should be at the very end of your “Things To Do In Case Of The End Of The World” list. It is better to connect with your team, make sure everyone knows what to do, conduct damage control, and look for the best and fastest ways to resolve the situation.

Easier said than done, I know. But keeping yourself in check and remaining calm will pay off much better than pulling your hair and thinking there is nothing you can do to control or even fix the situation.

2. Trust your team

You know that moment in a movie when a hero is asked “What’s the plan?”. They always have an answer to that question, don’t they? Well, with a good team by your side, there is no need for anyone to ask this question. Everyone already knows what to do and what steps to take. Where does that certainty come from?

First, from well-formed and up-to-date contingency plans. These need to be regulated and updated on a regular basis. At SupportYourApp, we involve every department in developing contingency plans. This ensures continuity of processes and services no matter what.

Second, it comes from total trust between you as a founder or top-level executive and your team. Letting other people make decisions that can reflect on you and your business is not the easiest of things. But, as a founder, I understood — I simply couldn’t do everything myself. I needed real pros who I would trust and who would be as responsible as I am. And, with time, I did find people like that. I keep finding them to this day and all around the globe.

But good things rarely come easy, so be ready to put as much time into building trust as possible. Let your team know you personally and not only as a manager. Remember — personal connections will have a much stronger effect than strictly business relationships.

3. Build things that will last

There is no way to predict whether your company will endure unavoidable crises (try to count how many issues the business world overcame in the last decade, and you’ll see what I mean by “unavoidable”), but you can always build things to last. I, of course, talk about a team and the way it operates.

Building a team that can withstand anything comes from constant work to build lasting relationships based on trust, communication, and support. There are many ways to ensure even the most international team, like the one I have, is a solid foundation you can rely on. From simple regular calls and syncs to corporate team events and trips — the list goes on and on.

The most important thing to remember here — when it comes to teamwork and team building, the process is never complete. It is an ongoing task for every founder and every manager. And when you have a base as strong as a unified family-like team, there is nothing you, as a company, cannot withstand.

Founders, are you ready for the end of the world? Preparing for it may seem impossible. In reality, nearly every step we take in our journey as leaders prepares us for handling and overcoming challenges. From self-development to building a trustworthy relationship with your team — every little thing matters when building a sturdy foundation for your business.