The recent controversy surrounding Linus Tech Tips (LTT) serves as a stark reminder of the importance of leaders having the right tools and insights to make informed decisions, avoid reputational damage and respond effectively in times of crisis. The Forbes article on LTT highlights how quickly media companies can lose their standing when other media companies see a weakness and go on the attack. As the Verge article reports, Linus Sebastian, founder of LTT, responded to the crisis with a statement which includes:
We pride ourselves on maintaining a safe and inclusive environment. In addition to our existing report systems (both anonymous and otherwise) we’ve proactively reached out internally today to encourage members of our team to report any workplace bullying or harassment they might be experiencing so we can take quick and decisive action.
The controversy started with criticism over errors in recent YouTube videos, but it quickly escalated into allegations of sexual harassment and theft, prompting the company to pause production and hire an outside investigator. This highlights how a lack of insight and early warning systems can lead to costly mistakes that can damage an organisation’s reputation and jeopardise its long-term success. It seems that the report systems Sebastian referred to were not able to detect the ‘toxic work environment’. In the case of Linus Tech Tips, it’s clear that the company lacked the right tools to identify and address the issues early on. This has resulted in scathing media on media criticism and a loss of trust from both employees and customers.
Effective crisis management requires leaders to be agile and informed. This means having access to real-time data and insights into what’s happening on the ground. Without this, leaders can miss the early warning signs of potential issues and be left scrambling to respond after the damage has been done.
In today’s rapidly changing business landscape, it’s more important than ever for leaders to embrace technology and insights that can help them make informed decisions and be proactive in addressing potential issues. Tools like Tensense can provide leaders with real-time insights into organisational experience and help them identify and address challenges before they escalate into significant problems. This proactive approach can help businesses maintain their integrity and reputation and ensure long-term success and profitability. Organisations can find out how their culture and their current operation are viewed by asking their employees for their opinions in a non-invasive way. Using Organisational SensemakingTM, Tensense provides an anonymous, quick and ongoing way of assessing the mood of the people about how the organisation is doing. You can find out more in this short video here.
Photo by Ales Nesetril on Unsplash