Leading When It Matters Most: In Extremis Leadership for Today’s Crisis-Ready Organizations
Leaders aren’t just guiding organizations through growth; they’re navigating crises that test values, vision, and humanity. Whether you’re running a school, steering a nonprofit, or managing a corporate boardroom, the old playbook isn’t enough. Enter in extremis leadership.
Coined by retired Brigadier General Tom Kolditz, in extremis leadership refers to leading in life-threatening or high-risk situations—when stakes are existential, ambiguity reigns, and the normal rules don’t apply. While the concept was born in military contexts, its lessons are relevant to other organizations. The pandemic, political unrest, climate disasters, and cyberattacks have forced leaders in every sector to act without precedent.
A recent case study of a rural school superintendent navigating COVID-19 illustrated this well: decisions had to be made with no roadmap, and trust had to be earned every single day. What made the difference? A calm, optimistic outlook. Shared risk. Personal connection. And the humility to say, “I don’t know—but I’ll find out.”
That’s in extremis leadership.
The five defining traits are ones any leader can—and should—cultivate:
- Inherent Motivation – Crisis amplifies purpose. Leaders must model clarity, not chaos.
- Learning Orientation – No situation is static. Strong leaders adapt, listen, and learn fast.
- Shared Risk – Being in the trenches matters. Visibility builds trust.
- Mutual Trust and Loyalty – Connection isn’t soft; it’s survival.
- Perceived Competence – When followers believe in you, they’ll follow—especially when the path is uncertain.
It’s no surprise that The Wall Street Journal recently reported, “A crisis puts to the test the decision-making skills of an organization’s management”. In other words, in extremis qualities are now strategic assets.
If you’re in leadership and haven’t yet faced a “how-do-we-survive-this” moment, just wait. The question is: will you be ready when it comes?
Want to explore how to develop in extremis leadership in your organization? Let’s talk. We help leaders in education, nonprofits, government, and business lead with clarity and courage—especially when it matters most.
Author: Laura Lunsford
