Includes bibliographical references and index.

The failure of conventional thinking -- The failure of conventional organizations -- The failure of conventional responses -- The rise of abnormal accidents: a brief history of crises -- The different languages of managers and executives: the personalities of individuals -- The personalities of organizations -- Crisis leadership and the Myers-Briggs -- The role of conflict in crisis leadership -- An expanded view of signal detection -- Thinking the absurd -- The vital importance of spirituality in crisis leadership.