Last updated on Jun 19, 2024

How would you address performance issues within your team during high-stress emergency scenarios?

When faced with a high-stress emergency scenario, effective team performance is critical. Emergency management, the discipline of dealing with and avoiding risks, particularly those that have severe consequences for communities, requires teams to work efficiently under pressure. Addressing performance issues within your team during such times can be challenging, but with the right approach, you can ensure your team operates at its best when it matters most.

1 Clear Roles

In emergency management, clarity of roles is paramount. You must ensure every team member knows their specific responsibilities and the expectations associated with their role. During high-stress situations, confusion about who is doing what can lead to critical delays and mistakes. Regular training sessions and simulations can help reinforce this clarity, so when an actual emergency occurs, everyone is confident in their role and can perform effectively without hesitation.

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Danish Rehan

President & CEO | GForce Security
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Addressing performance issues within a team during high-stress emergency scenarios involves clear communication, active listening, and situational awareness. One should not only know each team member's role but also be able to provide support as needed. Setting priorities helps maintain focus, and practicing scenarios beforehand allows the mind to develop effective response patterns. By integrating these strategies, a team can remain cohesive and perform effectively even under significant pressure.

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Sufyan Khan

Project Management Specialist | Managing Director at Alkhidmat Health Foundation
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The role of leadership is very important in emergency scenarios. If the leader is among the team and leading them from the front, the team can do anything and feel better. Clear distribution of roles is also a key element.

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Paul Carr

Preparedness as Habit
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Although everyone should have a primary role, it’s important they have some experience learning the roles of their team members. Understanding everyone’s place helps avoid confusion, and the team works better together when you understand how your role affects everyone else’s. For example, if the Plans Section Chief had some time in Ops or Logistics, they’re more likely to write a plan that will ultimately be supported by the General Staff.

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2 Open Communication

Open lines of communication are vital in high-stress scenarios. Encourage your team to voice concerns and report issues immediately. This proactive approach allows for swift identification and resolution of performance problems before they escalate. Regular debriefings can also provide a platform for feedback and discussion, fostering a culture where team members feel valued and heard, which in turn can improve overall performance.

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Maurice A Opiyo

Health Delegate, International Committee of the Red Cross
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It's important to establish an environment where team members are able to express their challenges that they feel are affecting their performance. Then as the supervisor you can guide the staff through the challenges by possing questions like why is this happening (cause), what do you think can be done to mitigate the challenge(s)

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3 Stress Management

Stress management techniques are essential tools for any emergency management professional. When performance issues arise, it's often due to high stress levels impacting decision-making and efficiency. Teach your team stress reduction strategies such as deep breathing or brief meditation. By managing stress, your team can maintain focus and performance even in the most challenging situations.

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Jedidiah Harris

Public Safety Officer at LaGuardia Community College
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How would you address performance issues within your team during high-stress emergency scenarios? By distributing surveys containing a series of questions to rate/evaluate their own high-stress levels from a scale of 1-5. Then, provide outside resources to seek help managing overall stress.

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4 Real-Time Feedback

Providing real-time feedback during emergencies can be tricky but it's crucial for addressing immediate performance issues. Constructive criticism, paired with quick, actionable advice, can help a team member correct course without feeling overwhelmed. This approach requires a delicate balance to ensure feedback is helpful rather than adding to the pressure of the situation.

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5 Decision-Making Support

Supporting your team's decision-making process is key in a high-stress emergency. When performance issues are identified, it may be due to uncertainty or hesitation in making critical decisions. By establishing a clear decision-making framework and empowering your team with the authority to act within defined limits, you can improve response times and effectiveness.

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6 Continuous Improvement

Continuous improvement should be a goal in emergency management. After an emergency scenario, conduct a thorough review to identify what went well and what didn't. This post-action analysis is crucial for addressing performance issues and ensuring that each subsequent emergency is handled more effectively than the last. It's a learning opportunity that can lead to significant improvements in team performance.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Cornelius "Kees" Nydam

Associate Professor
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Have a large sign that says “leave your egos at the door” This was utilised by Quincy Jones when he corralled some of biggest egos in the music industry to create the iconic song “We Are The World”.

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How would you address performance issues within your team during high-stress emergency scenarios?

1

2

3

4

5

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1 Clear Roles

2 Open Communication

3 Stress Management

4 Real-Time Feedback

5 Decision-Making Support

6 Continuous Improvement

7 Here’s what else to consider

Emergency Management

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How would you address performance issues within your team during high-stress emergency scenarios?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Clear Roles

2 Open Communication

3 Stress Management

4 Real-Time Feedback

5 Decision-Making Support

6 Continuous Improvement

7 Here’s what else to consider

Emergency Management

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