How a Disney Leadership Coach Handles a Crisis

Before everyone dives into fall planning, this month, we’re revisiting some of our favorite conversations that every executive should have fresh in their mind!

Today, the world feels like it's in a constant state of crisis. Every day news seems to destabilize us. We don't need to contribute to that. But how can we maintain clarity in our communication when everything else seems so muddy?

In this episode of the Speak In Flow podcast, host Melinda Lee sits down with Dr. David Yudis, a leadership psychologist and former head of talent development at Disney. Together, they break down the art of leading under pressure, sharing the simple mental tools and human-first principles that transform you from a reactive participant into a grounded leader who provides calm and clarity.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

The Grounding Power of “So What?”

Discover the simple, two-word tool to immediately center yourself and your message in any high-pressure situation.

How to transform reactive panic into a clear, actionable focus for your team by asking, “So what does this mean for us, and what do we do about it?”

The Two Leadership Traps in a Crisis

Understand why leaders often fail to connect when the pressure is on.

The dangers of reactive, emotionally-hijacked communication versus the potential disconnect of appearing “too calm,” and how to find the authentic, grounded middle path.

Self-Awareness Before Strategy

“What is the message that you are trying to communicate, and to whom, and… how can you best make that connection?”