Leadership Through Hell and High Water

Book excerpt: In 2016, wildfires devastated Fort McMurray, Alberta. Eighty Six thousands residents were displaced, and twenty-four hundred homes and buildings were destroyed. With almost $9 billion in damages, it’s recognized as the most expensive natural disaster in Canadian history. During this time, author Jean-Marc Guillamot managed eight hotels in the city and was responsible for getting patrons and his teams to safety. Four years later, Fort McMurray faced the unimaginable once more: floods due to icepacks obstructing the surrounding rivers. Based on research and personal logs reflecting on these events, Leadership through Hell and High Water is an introductory guide to crisis management and leadership principles. Filled with practical advice and useful strategies, this book outlines essential information in a direct way to get to the heart of the matter. The material is transferrable and adaptable to any leadership role and situation. Guillamot’s break down of a crisis into three key parts— yourself, us, and others—is the backbone to working effectively as a team and individually. More than anything, this handbook demonstrates a skill that can’t be taught: the resiliency of the human spirit. With an everchanging climate, natural disasters are on the rise. We can’t always predict where they’ll occur, but we can be prepared. Crisis management, whether it’s responding to a natural disaster or another form of emergency, is an essential skill every leader must have.