I’m one of 17 leaders featured in the latest Forbes Business Council Expert Panel, “Protect Business Credit And Financial Flexibility Before A Crisis.”

A crisis rarely creates financial weakness. It exposes choices made when times were good: how much debt was taken on, how much cash was set aside, how solid the relationship with the bank really was. My take is simple. Pay down debt and sell non-core assets while buyers still have capital, so you’re in a position to buy when prices fall.

My submission was selected for publication in the latest Forbes Business Council Expert Panel “20 Ways To Turn Career Challenges Into Lasting Professional Growth,” alongside 19 other leaders.

Some of the most valuable career lessons come from situations you would never have chosen. Whether it’s managing a difficult project, navigating unexpected setbacks, adapting to major organizational change or recovering from a mistake, these experiences often shape how you lead and make decisions going forward.

CEOs become adept at juggling many different roles and responsibilities, but sometimes these priorities end up in conflict with one another. On the one hand, you strive for operational excellence, making ongoing improvements to processes and systems to reach your business goals. On the other, you aim to create long-term value in your organization, taking risks that may or may not pay off.

There’s no such thing as a safe bet in entrepreneurship. Turning an idea into a business is inherently risky—but to echo the words of Mark Zuckerberg, “The biggest risk is not taking any risk. In a world that’s changing really quickly, the only strategy that is guaranteed to fail is not taking risks.”

“Company culture” is a term used so often that it’s starting to lose its meaning. But culture shouldn’t just be a buzzword you employ in website copy or employee handbooks. Investing in your culture has real benefits for both your employees and your business.