At the time when things are moving slow and there is an urgency to deliver more. There are few things that should be followed by the leadership to keep the things moving and the staff motivated. These are some of things that I think should be followed by people who get a chance to be in a leadership role. 

The leader must make it clear that during the crisis people are expected to assume a greater work load. The leader should set the example by taking more than his fair share of the work. Part of that work means being there for his team. At the same time, the leader does not need to decide how individuals must work. Often employees can decide how best to do their jobs. For example, mandatory meetings are fine, but every meeting need not be mandatory.

Leader should get out of the office from time to time. This can be as simple as going out for lunch, or taking a walk in the afternoon. Leader should clock time in the gym, too. Fitness is essential for tackling a heavy workload. The leader should also set the tone by making time for himself. When the team sees the boss taking a break (mental or physical), it gives the team permission to do likewise. Without the leader's example, no one will follow through on making time for self.

President Obama vowed to make his administration family friendly, but as his chief of staff, Rahm Emmanuel quips, "It's friendly to your [Obama] family." As a result many staffers, as reported in the New York Times, are feeling stressed chiefly because they miss time with their families.

Continued long stretches of working extraordinary hours will cause talented people to leave early. Taking breaks is not the same as doing business as usual. It is an acknowledgement that people are your most valuable resource. They need rest and relaxation as well as an opportunity to reconnect with their families. Rather than diminish urgency, it heightens it. Getting outside of the bubble of work allows the mind and body to recharge and be better prepared to face the gauntlet of challenges that lie ahead.