How I Learned to Leverage Crisis for My Next Job

The 2026 Leadership Crisis Challenge (LCC) was intense for me in all the best ways. It challenged me to think on my feet, work through ambiguity, and collaborate closely with my peers. But when the dust settled, I was left wondering: How do I actually talk about this in an interview?

With that question in mind, I went into the Leadership in Action (LIA) networking sessions, where I sat down at a roundtable for “Recruiting: Leveraging Your LCC Experience.” The workshop was led by Jamie Kohen, who helped us translate our chaotic simulations into recruiting power.

One of my peers asked a thought-provoking question right off the bat: “How do you manage culture after a crisis?” Jamie’s response centered on the importance of clear communication. But she also shared a crucial piece of advice about managing our “emotional reserves after an experiential exercise.” She explained that to truly leverage the Leadership Crisis Challenge—especially for those of us looking to switch careers—we need to take a step back, reflect, ask, “What did I learn?” and literally “document the feelings” we had afterward.

In the ambiguity of a crisis, it is easy to feel stuck. When discussing what other skills were critical, we all agreed on prioritization and structure. One insight that really stuck with me was the need to “help prioritize for the team” by creating structure, even if it is just making a list. We also talked about the importance of maintaining “composure to move in the same direction, while also being open to debate.”

One final takeaway that completely shifted my perspective was about confidence. We are often told to “fake it until you make it,” but Jamie’s advice was a resounding “no.” Instead, she encouraged us to take “calculated risks to grow efficacy.” A crisis is not the time to fake it, and it is unfortunate that we still hear this type of advice.

This experience has positioned me in an entirely new way for recruitment. I now have specific examples that show recruiters I can collaborate, prioritize, and execute under pressure. I walked away from the LIA roundtable feeling fully prepared to market myself as a leader.