Leadership Crisis Challenge
Overview
Leadership Crisis Challenge prepares you to lead in high-pressure, high-stakes environments. You will be immersed in a simulated business and media crisis where you will test your ability to strategize through extreme turbulence, think on your feet, and demonstrate poise under pressure.
You and your team will play the part of senior executives tasked with responding to the crisis as it unfolds: you’ll receive emails, social media updates, phone calls, and more throughout Thursday night. Then, on Friday, you’ll come to Michigan Stadium to present your strategy to your board of directors (made up of esteemed U-M alums), journalists, and the public. Along the way, you’ll receive personalized feedback from business leaders, communication coaches, and faculty experts.
This program is generously sponsored by General Motors and McKinsey.
reason why students chose Michigan Ross
awarded to first- and second-place teams since program inception
alumni, faculty, and staff engaged to support the student experience per year
Skills You’ll Learn
All program skills are connected to the Michigan Model of Leadership, our evidence-based framework for leadership development.
Skills
Team Communication
I facilitate open team communication
You will practice building trust and psychological safety with your team to embrace debate, manage conflict, and navigate problem-solving discussions to address the needs of diverse stakeholders as the crisis unfolds.
Resilience
I cope effectively with change and ambiguity
You will practice navigating complex, dynamic, and ambiguous situations as you and your team leverage incomplete information to make sound decisions for all company stakeholders.
Team Flexibility
I promote team flexibility in response to internal and external events
You will face complex decisions and a range of stakeholders. You’ll practice how to effectively diagnose and prioritize your response to issues, rigorously analyze trade-offs, and articulate a clear, coherent strategy.
Team Role Clarity
I clearly define team roles
At the beginning of the simulation, you will learn how to leverage the strengths, capabilities, diverse expertise, and learning objectives of your team to effectively delegate roles and responsibilities for your team to achieve its goals.
Influence
I influence others to action
You will practice influential communication by aligning with and persuading your teammates, the board, and the press throughout the Crisis Challenge. You’ll receive meaningful feedback from communication coaches, judges, and your team along the way.
Details & Application
Details
Application Window
1/8/25–1/22/25
Agenda
Day 1: Thursday, January 30, 4–10 PM, Michigan Ross
Check-in begins at 4 PM
- Simulation in Teams: 5-10 PM
Day 2: Friday, January 31, approx. 9 AM–5 PM, Jack Roth Stadium Club, Michigan Stadium
Required attendance
- Boardroom Presentation: Teams will be assigned a 55-minute window to present to, and receive feedback from, a board of directors between 9 AM and 1 PM.
- Press Conference: The final round of competition begins at 3 PM and ends by 5 PM
Optional attendance
- Leadership In Action networking session
- Field & locker room access
- Educational workshops
Time Commitment
Approximately 10 hours over 2 days
Participant Requirements
Any U-M student
Ability to attend both days
Get Involved
Due to increasing interest in LCC, students are invited to apply to participate in this one-of-a-kind opportunity between 1/8/25–1/22/25. Students will be notified of their application status by 1/24/25.
Application considerations:
- Ability to attend all required LCC events
- Interest in leadership development and personal growth
- Robustness of application responses
- Participation in the Michigan Ross Leadership Endorsement (enrolled before Dec 2024)
- Graduation year
- Prior participation in LCC
Experience the Crisis Challenge
Prize
Two undergraduate teams and two graduate teams will receive a reward that is split among team members. Teams will compete against others of the same academic level.
Teams
Team formation happens at check-in on the first day of the event. Registrants are welcome to bring a friend (who has also registered) to the check-in session in order to be assigned to the same team. All other registrants will be randomly assigned to teams at check-in. Students will be placed on teams and compete against other students of the same graduate status, i.e. undergraduate students compete against undergraduate students, and graduate students compete against graduate students.
Collaborations
A cornerstone of the Michigan Ross experience, the Leadership Crisis Challenge has been replicated at institutions across the world (like Chapman University’s Argyros School of Business and Economics). Interested in running your own Crisis Challenge? Reach out to us at rossleaders@umich.edu.
universities have hosted a Crisis Challenge
countries have hosted a Crisis Challenge
Testimonials
John Byrne, founder and editor in chief, Poets&Quants
Testimonials
“As business simulations go, the Leadership Crisis Challenge is one of the world's best, hands down. It's a rollercoaster, pressure cooker that brings students into real-world decision-making like none other. It's innovative, experiential, and unique.”
Anish Gaddam, BBA ’26
Testimonials
"The Leadership Crisis Challenge was the most impactful business-related case competition I have participated in. Being placed into random teams and given strict time constraints forces you to step out of your comfort zone and work proactively with your teammates to develop solutions. By far the most thrilling, energizing, and entertaining business competition I have been a part of!"
Gallery
Scenes from the Program
NEWS
Related News
POETS&QUANTS COVERS THE 2024 LEADERSHIP CRISIS CHALLENGE
The 2024 Leadership Crisis Challenge was recently featured in an article by Poets&Quants, highlighting the complexities and real-world aspects of the 24-hour simulation. This year, the Challenge attracted its largest participant pool since its start in 2008. 416...
STUDENTS TACKLE TECH TROUBLE AT THE 2024 LEADERSHIP CRISIS CHALLENGE
The Sanger Leadership Center’s 2024 Leadership Crisis Challenge (LCC) garnered a record-breaking turnout of 416 student participants and nearly 100 external partners and alumni. During the program, students from across the University of Michigan stepped into the role...
Students Share Their Experiences Learning, Leading, and Connecting at the Largest Leadership Crisis Challenge
This January, the Sanger Leadership Center’s annual Leadership Crisis Challenge, garnered a record-breaking turnout. This program offers all U-M students the opportunity to delve into a hands-on crisis simulation, developing and applying the leadership skills required...