2025 marks the 20th anniversary of one of the most devastating natural and man-made disasters in U.S. history—Hurricane Katrina and its impact on the city of New Orleans.

I recently watched Katrina: Race Against Time on Hulu, a documentary that recounts the stories of those who endured the hurricane, the devastating flooding, and its aftermath. The failures in rescue and post-disaster response left thousands of residents without the help they desperately needed. As I watched, I realized there are valuable leadership lessons to take from managing a crisis of such magnitude—lessons that apply to any leadership situation.

Leadership Lesson #1: During a Crisis, You Need Your A-Team

During Katrina, many local, state, and federal agencies fumbled through the crisis—deflecting blame and waiting for someone else to fix the problem. In contrast, true leadership showed up in figures like Lt. General Russell Honoré. The moment he arrived in New Orleans, he went straight to ground zero to assess the situation and determine immediate needs. Even when instructed to position himself miles away, he refused, recognizing that his leadership would be most effective where the need was greatest.

As leaders, we must surround ourselves with people who act decisively when others hesitate. In crisis situations, decisions must be made effectively, efficiently, and quickly. When building your team, seek out those who won’t shy away from hard moments but instead rise to meet them head-on.

Leadership Lesson #2: A leader shows up

One of the biggest PR nightmares during Katrina was the image of President Bush flying over the disaster area on his way to Washington, DC from a vacation. He was highly criticized for this move, most infamously by Kanye West, who publicly stated during a televised fundraising event that “George Bush hates black people”. 

I’m sure that many factors go into deciding how the president of the United States shows up to a public disaster area, but as the highest leader of this nation the decision to not be present and show up on the ground hurt how the country sees him as a leader. 

Leaders lead, and that means showing up. When problems come up the leader must be present and center, they will help guide how others react and behave during the situation. Leaders can’t stand on the sidelines, they must be engaged in both the problem and its solution.

Leadership Lesson #3: Facts and Clear Communication Are a Must

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, much of the information shared was misguided or outright inaccurate. Early reports downplayed the devastation from the levee breaches, leaving many to believe the storm’s impact was far less catastrophic than it truly was. At the same time, exaggerated stories of looting and lawlessness—often rooted in prejudice—spread widely. Journalists, TV stations, and even leaders on the ground failed to verify facts, prioritizing speed over accuracy. The result was damaging to rescue efforts and created a false narrative that still lingers today.

In any crisis or season of change, information often arrives incomplete or unverified. That’s why leaders must communicate with clarity, accuracy, and care. Decisions will be made based on what we say, and sharing unverified information risks making the problem worse instead of helping to solve it. Honesty and clarity help build trust. 

Leadership Lesson #4: People Over Bureaucracy

As a project manager, I deeply value the role of processes and systems. When used well, they bring order, consistency, and clarity to organizations and teams. But in a crisis, those same processes can quickly shift from being helpful to harmful. During Katrina, leaders leaned too heavily on systems designed for everyday operations, not life-and-death emergencies. The result was red tape, delays, and missed opportunities to deliver the urgent help people needed.

In times of crisis, leaders must pause and ask: Is this process helping us solve the problem, or is it slowing us down? If it’s the latter, it’s time to cut through the bureaucracy and prioritize people over procedure. Systems exist to serve people, not the other way around.

Great leadership requires discernment: knowing when to follow established structures and when to adapt, bend, or even bypass them for the sake of human lives.

 

Katrina was a devastating disaster for the people of New Orleans, but it also revealed the incredible resiliency of its residents and highlighted leaders who were willing to show up, make tough calls, and provide help when it mattered most. Leadership is never easy—it’s demanding and often tested in the hardest moments. Yet, a leader who communicates clearly, shows up, prioritizes people, and builds a team that acts decisively will always have the greatest impact.