About This Offering

Through a blend of theoretical frameworks, historical analysis, and immersive simulations, attendees will develop the strategic mindset necessary to navigate organizational turmoil.

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Dr. Chris Ketcherside

Dr. Ketcherside is an Assistant Teaching Professor of American History at Missouri S&T, bringing a unique blend of academic expertise and military leadership to the classroom. A retired U.S. Marine Corps Major, he earned his Ph.D. in American History from Saint Louis University in 2023, following an M.A. in Military History and a B.S. in Political Science. Before joining MS&T, he served as an adjunct professor of history at St. Louis Community College, Lindenwood University, and Maryville University.  Dr. Ketcherside's teaching philosophy is centered on inspiring a passion for the past and helping students understand the enduring importance of historical study.
  • Registration: Open until November 16, 2026
  • Course Date: November 23 & 24, 2026
  • PDH: 14
  • Price: $999
  • Location: 2127 Innerbelt Business Center Drive, St. Louis, MO 63114
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    • Also delivered live online via Zoom

This two-day course on crisis leadership enables participants to distinguish between leadership and management while analyzing historical and business case studies, such as Tylenol and Theranos. The program aims to establish a foundational understanding of crisis dimensions to identify and manage critical situations effectively.

The second half of the program focuses on hands-on application, including live crisis simulations and insights from veteran first-responder leaders. Participants will master strategic tools, such as risk matrices and "Black Swan" preparation, to develop robust contingency plans and build a crisis-proof organizational culture.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this program, participants will be able to:

  • Define & Identify: Distinguish between various leadership styles and recognize the specific dimensions of a crisis.
  • Anticipate & Plan: Utilize risk matrices and contingency planning to mitigate threats before they escalate.
  • Analyze: Evaluate real-world leadership successes and failures through deep-dive case studies.
  • Apply: Demonstrate decisive leadership and effective communication during live crisis simulations.

Core Content

  • Theoretical foundations of leadership vs. management.
  • Historical and business case study analysis.
  • Hands-on crisis simulations.
  • Guest lectures from veteran first-responder leaders.
  • Advanced contingency planning and "Black Swan" preparation.

Course Schedule

Total Duration: 14 Hours (Over 2 Days)

Day 1: Foundations and Analysis

  • Defining Leadership (2 Hours)
    • Core characteristics and the essence of decision-making.
    • Leadership vs. Management: Alignment and divergence.
    • Comparative study of leadership styles: Pros, cons, and situational application.
  • Defining a Crisis (1 Hour)
    • Understanding the dimensions of time and impact.
    • Establishing a common language for crisis scale and urgency.
  • Case Studies in Business & History (3 Hours)
    • Interactive Discussion: Analysis of Union Carbide, Tylenol, 9/11, BP Oil, Pearl Harbor, and Theranos.

Day 2: Application and Strategy

  • Crisis Simulation (3 Hours)
    • Live application of leadership theory and rapid decision-making in a controlled, high-pressure environment.
  • Guest Speaker Series (1.5 Hours)
    • Insights and Q&A with a First Responder leader regarding frontline crisis management.
  • Contingency Planning & Organizational Culture (3 Hours)
    • Culture: Building a "crisis-proof" organizational ethos.
    • SOPs: Developing Standard Operating Procedures that ensure multi-course actions for stakeholders.
    • Risk Mitigation: Using the Risk Matrix and preparing for "Black Swan" events.