How not to be a hostage to COVID-19: Episode 3

This is an episode in the video series How not to be a hostage to COVID-19. Psychologist George Kohlrieser, Professor of Leadership and Organizational Behaviour, IMD, brings his long experience as a hostage negotiator to the table. He provides practical advice for getting past fear and worry, helping us to retake a position of power and refusing to become a psychological hostage to the COVID-19 crisis.
In episode three, Managing emotions under times of threat, uncertainty and stress, Professor Kohlrieser explains that stress is a part of life. Stress can be either positive or negative and results in the four basic emotions of anger, fear, sadness and joy. Emotions are essential to well-being and the ability to verbalize these emotions is vital.
During a crisis situation, including the COVID-19 pandemic, grief reactions like fear, anger and sadness are common. By being aware of these emotions and accepting them, leaders (specifically Secure Bases) can then react appropriately and take action to overcome any negativity, helping both themselves and others.
To view all videos, please visit our Leading in Turbulent Times page here
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We investigate family CEO birth order as an antecedent of family firms' CSR behavior. Despite psychology literature recognizing it as a key predictor of individual behavior, birth order has been largely neglected in management research. Drawing on...
in I by IMD
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in I by IMD
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in I by IMD
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
in I by IMD
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
in I by IMD
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Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
in I by IMD Brain Circuits 19 March 2026
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Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
in Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal March 2026, vol. 20, no. 1, pp. 49-78, https://doi.org/10.1002/sej.1530
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