"Now I Know What It Feels Like" - Training for the Real Thing
Tracks
Monarch Room
| Monday, July 14, 2025 |
| 11:35 AM - 12:05 PM |
Overview
Scott Campbell, Nxus The War Room Experience
Details
Key Presentation Learnings:
1. Why realism in training matters, and how intense do your scenarios need to be, so they're effective.
2. The enablers and obstacles to decision-making under pressure.
3. How to identify when someone is struggling to make a decision.
Speaker
Mr Scott Campbell
Managing Director
NXUS The War Room Experience
"Now I know what it feels like" - training for the real thing.
Abstract
In a Crisis, Every Minute Counts. Are You Ready?
When disaster strikes, decisions made in the heat of the moment can mean the difference between survival and disaster. Yet, too often, leaders find themselves unprepared, paralysed by chaos, pressure, and uncertainty. Why? Because traditional training methods fall short—they don’t replicate the adrenaline, noise, confusion, or emotional stakes of real-world crises. If you're still using the same tabletop exercises from three years ago, you’re preparing your team for yesterday’s challenges, not today’s realities.
This presentation flips the script on conventional training. Scott Campbell, leveraging insights from his Executive MBA research and over 15 years of hands-on experience, reveals how immersive, scenario-based simulations transform decision-making under pressure. These simulations don’t just teach strategy—they build the confidence and mental agility leaders need to act swiftly and decisively.
Ever wonder why the U.S. Navy SEALs expose their trainees to tear gas? It’s not about cruelty; it’s about conditioning the mind to perform under extreme stress. This session dives into the psychology behind high-stakes decision-making, revealing why even the most seasoned leaders can hesitate when the clock is ticking, information is scarce, and the stakes are life-or-death. More importantly, you’ll learn how to train yourself and your team to overcome these challenges, turning hesitation into action.
Do you know your personal triggers under pressure? Can you spot them in your colleagues? This session will challenge your assumptions, inspire change, and equip you with practical tools to build resilient leaders and cohesive teams.
In today’s volatile world, our ability to respond effectively to a crisis can mean the difference between long-term success and irreparable damage. Are you truly preparing your leaders for the chaos they will face? It’s time to find out.
www.nxus.co.nz
When disaster strikes, decisions made in the heat of the moment can mean the difference between survival and disaster. Yet, too often, leaders find themselves unprepared, paralysed by chaos, pressure, and uncertainty. Why? Because traditional training methods fall short—they don’t replicate the adrenaline, noise, confusion, or emotional stakes of real-world crises. If you're still using the same tabletop exercises from three years ago, you’re preparing your team for yesterday’s challenges, not today’s realities.
This presentation flips the script on conventional training. Scott Campbell, leveraging insights from his Executive MBA research and over 15 years of hands-on experience, reveals how immersive, scenario-based simulations transform decision-making under pressure. These simulations don’t just teach strategy—they build the confidence and mental agility leaders need to act swiftly and decisively.
Ever wonder why the U.S. Navy SEALs expose their trainees to tear gas? It’s not about cruelty; it’s about conditioning the mind to perform under extreme stress. This session dives into the psychology behind high-stakes decision-making, revealing why even the most seasoned leaders can hesitate when the clock is ticking, information is scarce, and the stakes are life-or-death. More importantly, you’ll learn how to train yourself and your team to overcome these challenges, turning hesitation into action.
Do you know your personal triggers under pressure? Can you spot them in your colleagues? This session will challenge your assumptions, inspire change, and equip you with practical tools to build resilient leaders and cohesive teams.
In today’s volatile world, our ability to respond effectively to a crisis can mean the difference between long-term success and irreparable damage. Are you truly preparing your leaders for the chaos they will face? It’s time to find out.
www.nxus.co.nz
Biography
Scott Campbell is an award-winning strategic advisor with expertise in crisis and reputation management. He is often called on to manage high-profile and challenging situations. In 2019, he played an important role in the response to the eruption of Whakaari / White Island.
Scott’s company NXUS, provides a fully immersive training experience putting leaders at the heart of a crisis. An Executive MBA with 1st Class Honours, his thesis focused on decision-making under pressure and how to train people to be ready for a crisis.
In 2024, Scott was invited to attend the National Preparedness Leadership Initiative at Harvard University.
