Crisis Leadership for Senior Executives (BCCM-021) Training Course

Crisis Leadership for Senior Executives

When a crisis strikes, the decisions and behaviour of senior executives shape the outcome more than any plan. Leaders must make fast decisions with incomplete…

5 daysClassroom or online

49Upcoming dates

12Cities

£2,250Fees from

Course overview

Introduction

When a crisis strikes, the decisions and behaviour of senior executives shape the outcome more than any plan. Leaders must make fast decisions with incomplete information, communicate with confidence, protect people and reputation, and keep the organisation focused while under intense pressure from media, regulators, customers and staff.

This Crisis Leadership for Senior Executives training course prepares leaders to perform at their best when the stakes are highest. Participants learn how crisis teams are structured, how to frame and prioritise decisions, how to lead under stress, how to communicate with stakeholders and the media, and how to steer the organisation from response into recovery.

Realistic crisis simulations allow executives to practise leadership skills in a safe environment and to reflect on their own strengths and blind spots.

Course Objectives

By the end of this training course, participants will be able to:

Explain the nature of crises and how they differ from incidents
Describe the structure and roles of an executive crisis team
Make effective decisions under uncertainty and time pressure
Recognise and manage the effects of stress on leadership performance
Lead crisis communication with internal and external stakeholders
Handle media, regulators and public scrutiny with confidence
Balance immediate response with strategic and long-term interests
Lead recovery, learning and organisational renewal after a crisis

Target Audience

This training course is suitable for a wide range of professionals, including:

Chief executives and members of executive committees
Senior directors and general managers
Members of crisis management teams
Heads of communications and corporate affairs
Heads of risk, security and resilience
Board members with crisis oversight responsibilities

Training Methodology

The course is built around immersive crisis simulations that unfold in real time with injects, media pressure and conflicting information. Between simulations, short briefings, case studies of real crises and facilitated debriefs help executives draw lessons and refine their personal leadership approach.

Target Competencies

Strategic crisis decision making
Leadership under pressure
Crisis team leadership
Stakeholder and media communication
Reputation protection
Recovery leadership

Course outline

1Day One: Understanding Crises and Crisis Leadership

Characteristics of crises and why they overwhelm normal management
Types of crises: operational, reputational, financial and ethical
The leader's role in the first hours of a crisis
Lessons from well and poorly led corporate crises
Crisis readiness of the executive team
Personal leadership styles under pressure
Self-assessment of crisis leadership strengths

2Day Two: Crisis Team Structure and Decision Making

Strategic, tactical and operational levels of response
Crisis team roles, membership and activation
Situational awareness and building a common picture
Frameworks for structured crisis decision making
Avoiding groupthink, tunnel vision and decision paralysis
Recording decisions and the rationale behind them
Simulation: first meeting of the crisis team

3Day Three: Leading People Under Pressure

The effects of stress on judgement and behaviour
Managing personal resilience, fatigue and rotation
Keeping the crisis team focused and cohesive
Duty of care to staff, victims and families
Ethical dilemmas and values-based decisions
Leading when information is incomplete or contradictory
Simulation: an escalating crisis with competing demands

4Day Four: Crisis Communication and Reputation

Principles of effective crisis communication
Communicating with staff, customers, investors and regulators
Preparing for and conducting media interviews
Social media dynamics during a crisis
Apologies, accountability and protecting trust
Coordinating messages with legal and communications advisers
Exercise: a recorded press statement and interview

5Day Five: From Response to Recovery

Recognising the transition from response to recovery
Strategic recovery planning and stakeholder expectations
Leading organisational learning after a crisis
Rebuilding reputation and relationships
Strengthening crisis preparedness for the future
Board oversight and governance of crisis capability
Personal crisis leadership action plan

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Crisis Leadership for Senior Executives course?

The course runs over 5 days of classroom training, usually Monday to Friday.

When is the next Crisis Leadership for Senior Executives course?

The next public date is 7 - 11 Dec 2026 in Barcelona. There are 49 upcoming dates in total.

Where is this course held?

Upcoming sessions run in Barcelona, Frankfurt, London, Madrid, Munich, Paris, Rome, Vienna, Cape Town, Dubai, Istanbul, Kuala Lumpur.

Can I take Crisis Leadership for Senior Executives online?

Yes. Every date can also be joined live online in a virtual classroom with the trainer, for £1,280 per participant. Choose "Live online" in the dates table when you register.

How much does the course cost?

Fees start from £2,250 per delegate, depending on the city. Fees include tuition and course materials.

Do participants receive a certificate?

Yes. Delegates who complete the course receive a London Leadership Management Innovation certificate of completion.

Can this course be delivered in-house for our team?

Yes. LLMI can tailor and deliver this course privately for your organisation at your premises or in one of our training cities.

Course information last updated 14 November 2026.

Crisis Leadership for Senior Executives

Course overview

Introduction

Course Objectives

Target Audience

Training Methodology

Target Competencies

Course outline

Dates and fees

Frequently asked questions

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