Beyond the Firefighting: Why “Generative Leadership” is the Secret to Post-Crisis Growth
In the world of business consulting, we often meet leaders who are world-class “firefighters.” They are brilliant at navigating the heat of a sudden market crash, a supply chain disruption, or a global pandemic. But once the flames are out, a new, more difficult question arises: Now what?
Most organizations treat the "post-crisis" period as a simple return to status quo. However, a groundbreaking 2024 paper by Ralph A. Gigliotti, “Leadership Generativity and the Social, Emotional, and Pragmatic Pivot from Crisis to Post‐Crisis,” suggests that the most successful firms don’t just "return"—they pivot.
At CBC, we believe the bridge between surviving a crisis and thriving after one is a concept Gigliotti calls Leadership Generativity.
What is Leadership Generativity?
Generativity isn't just about managing tasks; it’s a mindset of care, legacy, and future-building. It is the shift from "How do I get through this week?" to "How do I nurture the people and systems that will outlast me?"
Gigliotti identifies five critical practices that business leaders can use to navigate this transition. Here is how you can apply them to your business today:
1. Encourage Learning: Audit the "Battle Scars"
A crisis is a masterclass if you’re willing to be a student. Generative leaders don’t just file away the disaster recovery plan; they institutionalize the lessons.
The Business Pivot: Conduct a “Post-Crisis Learning Audit.” Move beyond what went wrong and ask, “What did we do during the crisis that we should keep doing forever?” (e.g., faster decision-making cycles or remote flexibility).
2. Cultivate Resilience: Build "Human Capital" Reserves
Resilience isn’t just about the company’s balance sheet; it’s about the emotional and professional stamina of your team.
The Business Pivot: Invest in leadership development at all levels. Generative leadership is about sharing power. By training your middle managers to lead through uncertainty, you create a "distributed" resilience that protects the company from future shocks.
3. Stimulate Meaning-Making: Craft the Narrative
In the aftermath of a disruption, employees often feel senseless or burnt out. They need to know why the struggle mattered.
The Business Pivot: Communication is your most powerful tool. As a leader, you must frame the crisis not just as a tragedy, but as a catalyst for the company’s next chapter. Use town halls and one-on-ones to co-construct a shared vision of the "new normal."
4. Pursue Reinvention: Don’t Just Repair—Upgrade
Gigliotti argues that the "liminal space" after a crisis is a unique window for transformation. The old rules have already been broken; why try to glue them back together?
The Business Pivot: Use this time to launch that "risky" digital transformation or enter the new market you’ve been eyeing. The post-crisis period is the most socially acceptable time to change your business model.
5. Advance Renewal: Heal the Culture
Finally, recognize that your people are not machines. A crisis leaves social and emotional "debt" that must be repaid.
The Business Pivot: Prioritize psychological safety and renewal. This might mean "No-Meeting Fridays" for a month, investing in mental health resources, or simply creating spaces for teams to reconnect socially without a work agenda.
The CBC Bottom Line
The transition from crisis to post-crisis is where legacies are made. At CBC, we help our clients move past the "firefighting" stage to embrace Leadership Generativity.
By focusing on learning, resilience, meaning, reinvention, and renewal, you don’t just survive the next disruption—you ensure your organization is better because of it.
Ready to pivot? Contact CBC today to learn how we can help your leadership team build a generative future.