You don’t have to be the most intelligent person in the world to realize that people are distracted and can easily lose focus in times of turmoil. The headlines scream something new and unexpected every
And yet, in the past six months of global turmoil, when many businesses have been reeling from the daily barrage of uncertainty, several companies, like Procter & Gamble (P&G), have actually thrived.
The P&G Example: Clarity Amid Chaos
While many consumer goods companies cut marketing, paused innovation, or pulled back from volatile markets, P&G took the opposite approach. They doubled down on brand strength, employee engagement, and operational discipline. Despite inflationary pressures and regional disruptions, P&G posted solid growth across key categories and markets.
How did they do it?
They stayed relentlessly focused on clarity of purpose, empowered local teams to act fast, and aligned every decision to long-term value creation, not just short-term survival.
What Makes These Companies Different?
As a leading consultancy specializing in business acumen and leadership development, we’ve had the privilege of working with high-performing companies, including P&G, across various industries.
Our conclusion: They adopt five core best practices that promote high productivity, even when the world feels upside down.
Five Best Practices for Thriving Amid Turmoil
1) Anchor in Purpose, Not Panic
High-performing companies are purpose-driven. When uncertainty rises, they don’t freeze. They revisit their “why” and use it to drive alignment. Purpose becomes the compass in the storm, guiding decisions, calming nerves, and energizing teams.
2) Build Leadership Agility at Every Level
These companies develop leaders who are calm under pressure and quick to act. They train managers not only to execute but also to think critically, make informed decisions, and adapt quickly.
Tip: Simulate real-world turbulence in leadership development programs. Agility is a muscle built through practice.
3) Overcommunicate with Radical Transparency
Information voids breed anxiety. Leaders in high-performing organizations flood the zone with updates on business performance, market conditions, and internal changes. They speak candidly and often.
Tip: Replace monthly updates with weekly “state of play” conversations. Make space for questions and candid concerns.
4) Empower Decision-Making Close to the Action
Rather than bottlenecking decisions at the top, thriving companies push authority closer to the front lines. This accelerates execution and gives teams a sense of control amid chaos.
Tip: Identify 2–3 decision domains where local teams can act autonomously, and communicate that clearly.
5) Invest in the Long Game, Even When the Short Term Hurts
The best companies don’t just protect today; they build for tomorrow. Even under cost pressure, they continue to invest in innovation, digital capabilities, and leadership pipelines.
Tip: Ring-fence innovation budgets. Send the message that long-term value trumps short-term volatility.
Summary
High productivity in times of high turmoil is not an accident. It’s a product of intentional culture, agile leadership, and bold choices. Companies like P&G remind us that clarity, communication, and courage are far more powerful than control.
So, the next time turmoil hits, and it will, ask not just how do we survive? But how do we get better because of this?