The leaders 9/11 made—and the ones it took

On the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, the world was forever changed. Leaders from various organizations faced this crisis in their own unique ways. Jeff Immelt, CEO of GE, was on a Stairmaster in Seattle when the second plane hit the World Trade Center. He quickly pivoted to managing the damage and supporting his colleagues, who included those who lost their lives.

Unlike Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who lost his brother and 657 employees from his company, Cantor Fitzgerald, Lutnick was forced to balance mourning with the immediate need to maintain operations and provide support to grieving families. Meanwhile, Rick Rescorla, the security chief of Morgan Stanley, had anticipated a terrorist attack years earlier and devised an evacuation plan that saved thousands of lives, though he paid the ultimate price.

The attacks led to a profound transformation in how organizations approach crises, emphasizing the importance of quick communication, resource deployment, and empathetic leadership. The legacy of 9/11 continues to shape leadership practices and the way businesses respond to disasters today.