Leading People Through Disasters: An Action Guide: Preparing for and Dealing with the Human Side of Crises [Paperback]

Kathryn McKee (Author), Liz Guthridge (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2006

September 11th, Hurricane Katrina, and other recent tragedies have shown that most organizations are woefully unprepared to contend with catastrophic events. After interviewing CEOs, managers, and countless others who dealt directly with organizational hardships resulting from catastrophes, authors Kathryn McKee and Liz Guthridge concluded that all workplace disasters share one important need -- a human resources department trained to lead others through the turmoil. This book helps HR professionals anticipate the emotional and psychological aspects of disaster and outlines an effective three-pronged approach for dealing with disaster's human side: creating an emergency plan that focuses on both human and business issues; preparing the department to take action and assume a leadership role; and knowing how to adapt and improvise on the fly. Adopting this approach enables organizations to act with courage and avoid the costly lessons learned by others.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Kathryn D. McKee, SPHR, is President of Human Resources Consortia, a consultancy specializing in providing solutions to Human Resources issues and serves as its President and principal consultant. Liz Guthridge specialises in strategic employee communication. She is the founder of Connect Consulting based in the Bay Area.

Product Details

• Paperback: 180 pages
• Publisher: Berrett-Koehler Publishers (August 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1576754200
• ISBN-13: 978-1576754207
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 6.7 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,720,178 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Two Best Things About This Book, September 18, 2006

By 

C. Metzker "writer and consultant" (West Chester PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Leading People Through Disasters: An Action Guide: Preparing for and Dealing with the Human Side of Crises (Paperback)

There are two things that make this book outstanding.
1. The authors' credibility based on their real-life experiences. Between the two, McKee and Guthridge have experienced two earthquakes, a steam pipe explosion that involved asbestos and the city riots during the Rodney King trial. Their crisis plans - informed by their experiences - helped employees through the World Trade Center bomb explosion and 9/11. So they know what they're talking about.
2. It is practical. It even includes sample disaster preparedness plans, sample company emergency instruction wallet card, sample response procedures and tips for small companies.
This book has a large amount of critical information for a small price.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Practical Actions for Humans, November 1, 2006

By 

[e-mail] (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Leading People Through Disasters: An Action Guide: Preparing for and Dealing with the Human Side of Crises (Paperback)

I highly recommend this book by Kathryn McKee and Liz Guthridge for three important reasons.

1. An Action Guide: It's a good, basic how-to book - a practical guide backed up by the authors' first-hand experience dealing with disasters within large corporations, allowing them to understand the broader ramifications these kinds of events have on an organization.

2. Deals with the "Human Side": There is a lot of business continuation information out there, mostly about data prevention loss. But backing up all the computer systems in the world will not back up the people who use them. Ms. Guthridge and McKee make it abundantly clear that people are an integral part of business survival success and what to address in order to accomplish their, and thus the company's, productive continuation.

3. Geared toward Human Resources: Including Human Resources in the writing of business continuation plans is too rare. To be successful plans need full participation from all the traditional support functions in an organization. This book brings in that dimension, demonstrating how and where HR participation is relevant and the part it can play in the process.

This is a book filled with lessons-learned, knowledge and wisdom that the authors have generously offered up and invite you to use at will. Please take them up on it.

Kudos and Thanks to Liz and Kathryn!

5.0 out of 5 stars outstanding ideas for the reality of our world, July 2, 2010

By 

Dave (Alpine) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Leading People Through Disasters: An Action Guide: Preparing for and Dealing with the Human Side of Crises (Paperback)

we never know when or what disasters will strike. They may be acts of nature (earthquakes, tornadoes, tsunamis) or they may be unintentional or intentional acts of human-kind. In the world we live in these disasters are more likely to occur. Without careful management of them, the immediate crisis becomes even more lasting. This is a gem of a book that will help those coordinating disaster relief know what to do to respond quick wisdom and excellence. It is also a guide to HR practices and professionals on how they can play a significant role in disaster relief. The book is pragmatic and useful.