We all have heard the saying, "When the going gets tough, the tough get going." This is no different for leaders. When a crisis occurs, no matter how bad it may seem, it is time to lead. This may be the time when your colleagues, your employees, your community, and/or the world needs you the most. That calm, reassuring, determined character leading the way through turbulent times is critical. As an emergency manager, I have seen the worst disasters play out. I have seen how we as humans respond. I have seen disaster response with great leadership and disaster response with no leadership. Rising to the occasion is a misnomer. A leader leads before the disaster, but a leader also has to lead during and after.
