Rapid Response: Why brands must take a stand, w/Wieden+Kennedy's Colleen DeCourcy

Crisis Management

Managing a team during a crisis requires a unique blend of empathy and strategic oversight. Colleen DeCourcy highlights the importance of offering a clear perspective and vision, especially when emotions run high. She notes, "It's perspective, a vision, inspiration. You just have to be really extra careful that you're very, very aware of what's going on for those people close up, or you can be tone deaf" 1. This approach helps in navigating the chaos and ensuring the team remains focused and motivated.

   

Adapting Leadership

Adapting leadership strategies during times of change, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, has been a significant challenge. Colleen DeCourcy discusses the impact of remote work on creative collaboration and the necessity of finding new ways to inspire and connect with her team. She reflects, "For creatives, they've long relied on being in person for collaborating and brainstorming... We can now work with people in places that we never had offices" 2. This shift has required leaders to be more flexible and innovative in their approach.