Resilience at a glance: Four CEOs share tips on leading through times of crisis

As part of our Secrets of Resilience series, first published in the annual print edition of MaltaCEOs, four CEOs share their stories of navigating their companies through crises, sharing valuable insight into the strategies, mindsets and principles that empowered them to not only ride out the storm, but emerge stronger.

After featuring their stories, which can be found here, here, here and here, we asked our CEOs for their tips on how emerging business leaders can manage teams through times of crisis with strength and resilience, and here we share their advice:

Malta International Airport CEO Alan Borg

“Stay calm, focus on your priorities and don’t take rushed decisions even if you’re under a lot of pressure, as the situation will likely evolve. Maintain an open dialogue with your team and listen – the advice may be good or bad, but it helps to have other perspectives and it’s ultimately up to you to take a decision. Keep strong in your self-belief.”

Saint James Hospital Group CEO Jean Claude Muscat

“Avoid reactive decision-making when the situation is unclear. Convene the senior team, clearly outline the challenge facing the organisation, provide a suggested way forward, listen to the team’s feedback and opinions, and then make informed decisions. Follow up by keeping staff informed and morale high, and by making sure everyone is rowing in the right direction.”

BELS CEO Rebecca Bonnici

“Stay agile and proactive. Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth, and always invest in your team’s development and well-being. Be sure to cultivate a culture of open communication, transparency and adaptability. Lastly, trust your instincts, but always seek advice and learn from experiences.”

Pet Nutrition Director Matthew Wismayer

“Never rush when taking decisions and don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Instead, expose your business to more than one market so you can recover faster from a crisis if one is under threat. Above all, be resilient, courageous and proactive, and stick with a clear vision and strategy that keeps your business intriguing and innovative even in times of adversity.”