When It Hits the Fan
Heathrow special: inside the crisis
Mar 25, 2025
The podcast dives into the chaos at Heathrow caused by a fire, leaving 300,000 passengers stranded and 1,300 flights cancelled. It scrutinizes the CEO's questionable choice to sleep during the crisis and the ensuing media narratives. Discussions also focus on the challenges of leadership communication in high-pressure situations and compare crisis management strategies with National Grid. Finally, it touches on the future of Heathrow’s third runway, revealing the political and financial hurdles ahead.
26:26
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Quick takeaways
- The decision-making process of a CEO during a crisis, as seen in Heathrow's shutdown, significantly impacts public relations management and perceptions of accountability.
- The blame game among stakeholders reveals the complexities of crisis communication, highlighting the need for comprehensive media training for executives to manage scrutiny effectively.
Deep dives
Crisis Management and CEO Decisions
In the face of a major crisis, the decision-making process of a CEO plays a crucial role in the management of public relations. The case of Heathrow Airport's shutdown illustrates the dilemma faced by leaders during high-pressure situations, especially regarding their need for rest. The CEO, Thomas Wolby, chose to go to bed shortly before the decision to close the airport was made, which has led to significant public scrutiny. However, it's argued that this decision could be seen as rational if he trusted his command structure and if there were clear delegation during the crisis.
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