The most expensive decision a leader can make during a crisis might be the one they keep putting off.

When uncertainty hits, the instinct to wait for things to settle can feel like the responsible choice. But what happens when the market keeps moving and your business doesn't?

Maartje van Krieken is revisiting this solo episode of The Business Emergency Room because the challenges she discussed when she first recorded the episode in April 2025 have become even more relevant. Business disruptions are coming faster, and the cost of leadership inertia is becoming harder to ignore.

Drawing from her experience as a business crisis expert and yacht skipper, Maartje examines why leaders freeze under pressure and how waiting for certainty can put an organization at greater risk. How do you make smart decisions without all the facts? And how do you keep your team moving when the path forward is unclear?

From recognizing early warning signs to making decisions with incomplete information, Maartje shares practical ways to lead through uncertainty. She explains why declaring a clear direction matters before you have every answer, and how bringing different teams together helps leaders identify what they know, what they're missing, and where to act next.

When conditions are unpredictable, standing still may be the riskiest move of all.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Navigating Business Storms

02:57 Understanding Inertia in Leadership

05:53 The Cost of Inaction

08:46 Cultivating a Culture of Decisive Action

12:03 Enhancing Situational Awareness

15:08 The Importance of Communication and Collaboration

18:00 Seeking External Support

21:11 Steering Through Chaos

Connect with Maartje van Krieken:

Connect with Maartje on LinkedIn

Visit The Chaos Games Consulting website

Visit The Business Emergency Room website

Subscribe to The Business Emergency Room on YouTube

Subscribe to Maartje’s Substack

Host Maartje van Krieken is a crisis strategist and decision-making expert who thrives in high-stakes business environments. Combining disaster management training, hands-on experience in global industries, and leadership skills honed as a seasoned sailor, she helps businesses navigate chaos with precision. Whether tackling transformation, scaling challenges, or leadership bottlenecks, Maartje delivers actionable insights to turn turbulence into traction.

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm