Leading Through the Storm: Shalom Lamm’s Blueprint for Crisis Control in Business
Every business leader will eventually face a crisis. Whether it’s a public relations disaster, sudden market downturn, internal scandal, or global event like a pandemic, how leaders respond in these high-pressure moments can define the future of the organization.
For seasoned entrepreneur Shalom Lamm, navigating crises isn’t an abstract idea—it’s lived experience. With decades of leadership across real estate, logistics, and nonprofit sectors, Lamm has managed both public and private challenges that tested his resilience, adaptability, and clarity.
In this post, we’ll explore Shalom Lamm’s real-world approach to crisis control in business—offering actionable strategies for leaders who want to not only survive unexpected setbacks but emerge stronger and smarter.
What Is Crisis Control in Business?
Crisis control is the strategic response to high-stakes events that threaten the operations, reputation, or financial stability of a business. It encompasses rapid decision-making, internal communication, external messaging, and future-proofing.
As Shalom Lamm puts it,
“A crisis doesn’t destroy your business—your response does. Or your lack of one.”
When done right, crisis control helps preserve stakeholder trust, protect your brand, and keep your team focused during turbulent times.
Common Types of Business Crises
Lamm emphasizes that crises can come from almost anywhere. Understanding the categories helps you prepare for them:
- Operational Crises (e.g. supply chain breakdown, IT outages)
- Financial Crises (e.g. loss of funding, recession impacts)
- Reputation Crises (e.g. customer backlash, social media missteps)
- Legal/Compliance Crises (e.g. lawsuits, regulatory changes)
- Leadership Crises (e.g. scandal, sudden resignations)
- External Crises (e.g. natural disasters, pandemics, geopolitical issues)
“Your crisis plan can’t be one-size-fits-all,” says Lamm. “Each situation calls for a different kind of leadership.”
Shalom Lamm’s 6-Phase Crisis Control Framework
Drawing from his own business journey, Shalom Lamm recommends a six-phase framework for handling crises efficiently and ethically:
1. Recognize and Assess the Threat Immediately
Time is the most valuable asset in a crisis. The longer you delay acknowledging a problem, the worse it gets.
Lamm warns against wishful thinking:
“Denial is the most dangerous form of leadership during a crisis.”
As soon as something feels off—whether it’s an unhappy client going viral or a sudden drop in revenue—gather facts fast:
- What happened?
- Who is affected?
- How serious is it?
- What’s at risk?
This step lays the foundation for every action that follows.
2. Assemble a Crisis Response Team
Every organization, large or small, should have a designated crisis team before a crisis happens. This team is responsible for assessing risks, planning responses, and communicating with stakeholders.
Lamm’s tip: Keep the team lean but empowered.
Typical roles might include:
- CEO or founder (ultimate decision-maker)
- Head of Communications or PR
- Legal counsel
- HR (for internal crises)
- Key department heads
“You don’t need a crowd, you need clarity,” Lamm says.
3. Control the Narrative Quickly and Transparently
In an age of instant news and viral social media, silence often speaks louder than words. One of Lamm’s core principles is owning the message before misinformation takes over.
“If you don’t speak up, someone else will. And they won’t tell your version of the story.”
Craft a short, truthful, and empathetic message for:
- Employees
- Customers
- Investors
- Media (if necessary)
Focus on what happened, what you’re doing about it, and what comes next. Avoid speculation, blame, or corporate jargon.
4. Protect and Support Your People
During any crisis, your team will look to leadership for direction and stability. Lamm emphasizes the human side of crisis control:
- Be visible and available
- Offer frequent updates (even if there’s no new info)
- Create a space for team members to voice concerns
- Offer resources for mental health, logistics, or remote work if needed
“Your employees are your first audience and biggest advocates—treat them like it,” says Lamm.
5. Execute a Stabilization Plan
With the immediate fire addressed, shift to stabilization mode. This means:
- Implementing operational fixes
- Adjusting timelines or budgets
- Communicating updated strategies to clients and partners
- Making tough but necessary decisions (e.g. layoffs, restructuring)
Lamm urges leaders to balance speed with wisdom:
“You don’t want to move so fast you make new mistakes. But you also can’t sit still.”
Use data to guide your next steps, and remain flexible as the situation evolves.
6. Reflect, Rebuild, and Future-Proof
Once the dust settles, many leaders are tempted to move on. Shalom Lamm says this is a missed opportunity.
“A crisis is a mirror. It shows you your weaknesses—but also your strengths.”
Hold a post-crisis review to ask:
- What systems failed?
- What worked well?
- What do we need to improve?
- How can we prevent this from happening again?
Use those insights to update your crisis playbook, improve training, and enhance resilience for the future.
Bonus: Shalom Lamm’s Golden Rules for Crisis Leadership
- Stay Calm – Your team will reflect your energy. Breathe. Lead.
- Be Honest – Transparency builds trust, even when the truth is hard.
- Act with Integrity – Make decisions you’ll be proud of five years from now.
- Communicate Constantly – Uncertainty grows in silence.
- Take Responsibility – Own the problem, even if you didn’t create it.
Final Thoughts: Leadership Is Proven in Crisis
Every leader hopes their business runs smoothly. But the reality is, crises will come—sometimes unexpectedly, sometimes through no fault of your own.
Shalom Lamm’s career proves that it’s not the crisis that defines your business—it’s your leadership through it.
“Crises reveal your values, your systems, and your culture. If you lead with clarity, empathy, and grit, you’ll come out stronger.”
So prepare your team, refine your strategy, and lead through the storm. The businesses that last are the ones that refuse to panic—and rise with purpose when it matters most.
