Over my 30-year career, I’ve had my share of bosses – some of whom taught me what not to do when I became a boss myself. The worst ones were those who focused all their energy on being vindictive and punishing. Blaming others was their method of operation and instead of creating a culture of creative problem solving, the result was finger pointing and punishment. And that was just my experience in my organization and my city.
On the national front, the same pattern emerges. As California faces yet another devastating wildfire season, residents look to their leaders for clarity, solutions, and support. What they do not want is a circus of finger-pointing and blame-shifting. Yet, that is precisely what some officials have delivered. In times of crisis, effective leadership means stepping up to solve problems, not indulging in public grandstanding. The optics of blame are not only unhelpful but downright harmful.
Take the recent example of Los Angeles officials’ handling of the current wildfire crisis. As residents evacuate their homes and firefighters battle blazes under grueling conditions, officials have been quick to assign fault for systemic failures. Councilmembers criticized state-level forest management policies while offering no actionable plan for what the city might do differently. Such rhetoric may win soundbites but does little to reassure the thousands of Californians whose lives hang in the balance.
Or consider the cringe-worthy performance of New Orleans Senator John Kennedy following the 2025 New Year’s Day terrorist attack in New Orleans. His performative and partisan remarks and watching him grandstand after people were senselessly killed was a masterclass in what not to do as a leader. He left the public bewildered and undermined trust in leadership. Such grandstanding serves as a stark reminder of how not to handle a crisis. Rather than focusing on efforts on the investigation, he prioritized scoring political points. It was a glaring example of what’s broken in crisis leadership today.
Meanwhile, back in California, the same patterns of blame persist. Governor Gavin Newsom has frequently pointed to climate change—undeniably a critical factor in the state’s wildfires—but this explanation alone does not absolve state agencies of their operational shortcomings. The focus on macro-level causes can feel detached from the immediate needs of evacuees who need shelter, firefighters who need resources, and communities that need rebuilding.
Finger-pointing has only intensified as the wildfire crisis unfolds. President Elect Donald Trump recently blamed Governor Newsom, claiming the governor “refused to sign the water restoration declaration put before him that would have allowed millions of gallons of water” to put out fires. However, Newsom’s office dismissed this claim as “pure fiction,” and experts confirmed no such document exists. Meanwhile, Governor Newsom has directed blame toward local water agencies, citing the lack of water pressure in hydrants as a major failure during the emergency response. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has also come under fire for budget cuts to the city’s fire department. Although Mayor Bass defended the cuts, stating they did not impact wildfire response, her actions have drawn scrutiny as officials scramble to address inadequate resources. Firefighters themselves, like Captain Adam Van Gerpen of the Los Angeles Fire Department, confirmed to the BBC that water shortages forced crews to “improvise,” further highlighting the systemic failures. This endless cycle of accusations leaves Californians wondering: who is actually solving the problem?
This isn’t to say that discussing root causes isn’t important; it absolutely is. But crisis moments require action-oriented leadership. Solutions must take center stage. Leaders should be asking, “How can we mitigate damage? How can we prevent this from happening again?” rather than pointing fingers at why the problem exists in the first place.
What Do People Want From Leaders in a Crisis?
The answer is simple: competence, empathy, and results. When people’s lives are upended, they crave leaders who can cut through the chaos and deliver tangible solutions. This idea isn’t new. Leadership experts have long emphasized the importance of “problem-solving over posturing.”
Simon Sinek, a thought leader in leadership, puts it succinctly: “Leadership is not about being in charge. It is about taking care of those in your charge.” In a wildfire crisis, taking care means ensuring resources are deployed effectively, communicating with transparency, and demonstrating a genuine commitment to the people impacted—not wasting time on partisan squabbles or deflecting accountability.
Contrast the current state of affairs with leaders who’ve risen to the occasion in past crises. Consider former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. While his tenure has since been marred by controversy, there’s no denying his press briefings offered clarity and actionable steps that reassured New Yorkers when uncertainty was at its peak. People trusted him then because he focused on solutions, not excuses. That’s the kind of leadership Californians need now.
The Cost of Blame
When leaders prioritize blame over problem-solving, the consequences extend far beyond optics. Communities become divided, resources are misallocated, and trust in government erodes. In California, this erosion of trust can have devastating consequences. Residents may ignore evacuation orders if they perceive leaders as out of touch. Donors and volunteers may hesitate to offer aid if they believe their efforts will be mired in bureaucratic dysfunction.
Blame is easy; solutions are hard. But hard is what leadership demands. Consider the heroic efforts of first responders—firefighters, paramedics, and police officers—on the front lines of these crises. They don’t have the luxury of deflecting responsibility or debating who’s at fault. Their focus is clear: save lives, protect property, and do the job in front of them. Why should our elected officials hold themselves to a lower standard?
Accountability Without Blame
There is a difference between taking accountability and assigning blame. Accountability means saying, “Here’s what went wrong, and here’s how we’re going to fix it.” Blame says, “Here’s who’s responsible for what went wrong.”
Take a page from FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell’s playbook. In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, she acknowledged gaps in FEMA’s response but immediately pivoted to outlining the agency’s next steps to improve coordination. Her approach was forward-looking, solution-oriented, and ultimately restored some public confidence in the agency’s ability to handle future crises.
A Call to Action for Leaders
California’s wildfire season is not just a test of environmental resilience; it’s a test of leadership. The stakes couldn’t be higher. Lives are at risk, livelihoods are destroyed, and entire communities are displaced. This is not the time for politicians to indulge in petty squabbles or play the blame game.
Here’s what leaders can do instead:
- Communicate Clearly and Honestly: Residents need timely, accurate information. Sugarcoating or obfuscating facts only deepens mistrust.
- Focus on Immediate Needs: Deploy resources effectively. Make sure shelters are accessible, emergency services are funded, and the most vulnerable populations are prioritized.
- Plan for the Future: While addressing immediate needs, lay the groundwork for long-term solutions. This includes improving forest management practices, investing in infrastructure to mitigate fire risks, and addressing climate change.
- Collaborate Across Boundaries: Crises don’t respect jurisdictional lines. Leaders must work together—local, state, and federal—to coordinate efforts.
- Own the Mistakes: Acknowledge when things go wrong and commit to doing better. People are remarkably forgiving when they see genuine accountability and effort.
Leadership during crisis is a profound responsibility. Californians—and all Americans, for that matter—deserve leaders who prioritize solutions over soundbites, collaboration over conflict, and action over apathy. Crises like wildfires test the mettle of leaders, and right now, too many are failing that test.
To those in positions of power: step up, solve the problems, and leave the blame at the door. The people deserve nothing less.
Keep on disrupting, my fellow disrupters. Until next time, onward and upward.
KZ
