14

CRISIS LEADERSHIP

After my return from Iraq, I received an assignment that required me to wear two hats, homeland security advisor and deputy chief of staff for public safety for the state of Illinois. I was responsible for dealing with catastrophes across the state, whether the events were natural disasters, acts of terror, nuclear accidents, or man-made emergencies. I learned a lot about crisis management and how to lead effectively when everyone around you is freaking out. My military experience, leadership experience, and master’s degree from the Army War College came into play as I led thousands of employees in keeping Illinois safe.

On my first day on the job, I realized that I had nine agencies reporting directly to me; these agencies ...

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