Economic downturns. Shocking controversies. Natural disasters. Virus outbreaks. Terrorist attacks.

Throughout the decades, leaders have had to face crises that disrupted their organizations and upended entire industries. Some of these crises, like company scandals, may have been brewing under the surface for quite some time. Others, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, may be anticipated to a certain degree but catch us off-guard when reality strikes.

Crises are opportunities, and this moment in time has become an opportunity for the lines between business and societal leaders to blur as we all come together for a common purpose. In its latest report, Leading in a Crisis, the Korn Ferry Institute examines what leadership qualities are most critical to successfully leading in a crisis—at a hospital, from a state capital, or in a board room.