The Hidden Cost Of Crisis: What War Taught Me About Leadership

Forbes - Mar 18th, 2025
Open on Forbes

Steve Osler, CEO of Wildix, shares insights on crisis leadership amid the unexpected Ukraine war in 2022. With 70% of his workforce displaced overnight, Osler emphasizes that effective crisis leadership begins before disaster strikes. Osler's proactive measures included stress-testing evacuation plans and securing resources and visas for his team, demonstrating the importance of preparedness and prioritizing people over profits.

The story highlights the broader context of global disruptions, emphasizing that crises are inevitable and preparedness is crucial. Osler's approach underscores the significance of radical transparency, resilience through community action, and financial stability. His experiences serve as a blueprint for leaders facing future uncertainties, advocating for clear communication and a commitment to safeguarding human resources as essential components of crisis management.

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

7.0
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article offers a compelling narrative about crisis leadership, drawing on Steve Osler's personal experiences during the Ukraine war. It is well-written and timely, providing valuable insights into the importance of preparation, transparency, and resilience in times of crisis. The article's strengths lie in its clarity, readability, and relevance to current global challenges.

However, the article could benefit from greater balance and transparency by incorporating a wider range of perspectives and providing more detailed sourcing for its claims. While it effectively engages readers with its personal tone, its impact could be enhanced by exploring alternative viewpoints and encouraging broader discussions on crisis leadership strategies.

Overall, the article serves as a thought-provoking resource for those interested in improving their crisis management capabilities, but it could be strengthened by addressing some of the limitations identified in the analysis.

RATING DETAILS

8
Accuracy

The article by Steve Osler is largely accurate in its depiction of the crisis leadership challenges faced during the Ukraine war. The claim that Steve Osler is the CEO of Wildix is correct, and the timeline of the war's onset in February 2022 aligns with historical events. The assertion that 70% of Wildix's workforce was displaced is supported by reports of the company's actions during the conflict.

However, some specific claims, such as the exact nature of the drills and preparations made before the invasion, require further verification. The article mentions a survey indicating that 95% of organizations faced disruptions, but it does not provide a direct source for this statistic. Overall, the article maintains a high degree of accuracy, but it could benefit from more precise sourcing for some of its claims.

7
Balance

The article primarily presents the perspective of Steve Osler and his experiences leading Wildix through the Ukraine crisis. While it offers valuable insights into crisis leadership, the narrative is largely one-sided, focusing on the author's viewpoint without including alternative perspectives or counterarguments.

There is a lack of input from other stakeholders, such as employees affected by the crisis or industry experts who could provide additional context. The article's balance could be improved by incorporating a wider range of perspectives, which would help to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the situation.

8
Clarity

The article is well-written and easy to follow, with a logical structure that guides the reader through Steve Osler's experiences and insights. The language is clear and accessible, making complex concepts related to crisis leadership understandable to a broad audience.

The tone is engaging and personal, which helps to humanize the challenges faced during the crisis. However, some sections could benefit from additional context or explanation to enhance comprehension, particularly when discussing specific actions taken by Wildix.

6
Source quality

The article relies heavily on the personal experiences and statements of Steve Osler, which are credible given his role as CEO of Wildix. However, it lacks external sources or corroborating evidence to support some of its broader claims, such as the survey results mentioned.

The absence of diverse sources limits the article's depth and may affect its perceived reliability. Including authoritative sources or data to back up key points would enhance the article's credibility and provide a more robust foundation for its claims.

6
Transparency

The article provides a clear account of Steve Osler's experiences and decisions during the crisis, but it lacks transparency in certain areas. For instance, the methodology behind the survey mentioned is not disclosed, leaving readers without a clear understanding of how the data was collected or its relevance.

There is also little information on potential conflicts of interest or biases that might influence the narrative. Greater transparency in these areas would improve the article's trustworthiness and help readers better assess the validity of its claims.

Sources

  1. https://www.channelfutures.com/unified-communications/wildix-ceo-supporting-staff-3-years-into-ukraine-war
  2. https://www.channelfutures.com/keyword/agents
  3. https://muckrack.com/moshe-beauford/articles
  4. https://odessa-journal.com/interview-with-dimitri-osler-the-entrepreneur-who-brought-wildix-to-odessa
  5. https://www.sorainen.com/deals/?news-sector=2d-80037f01-df6cc614&pg=202