Software Dunkirk: don't hesitate bit ByBit
Whether it’s a Zoom call or the Cabinet War Room, bold and decisive action transforms catastrophe into triumph.
"Whoosh whoosh whoosh, blop" was the beginning of a sudden crisis within the coffee shop. In an instant, the previously calm and comfortable setting became the epicenter of chaos, demanding immediate and decisive action. A small bird had accidentally flown in and, after a brief wander inside, couldn’t find its way out.
In a split second, "No worries, I got this!" shouted the principal barista as he caught the bird before it could accelerate into the window for a second time. The onlookers' praise was movie-ending worthy. That moment of quick, confident leadership reminded me that whether in a cozy café or on a global stage, true leadership emerges when the stakes are highest.
Nearly 85 years ago, Winston Churchill faced an almost impossible crisis: around 400,000 Allied soldiers trapped in Dunkirk. Just about a week ago, cryptocurrency exchange ByBit and its CEO Ben Zhou were hit hard by a hack that drained 400,000 Ethereum—or $1.4 billion in human money. Four hundred thousand is not the only common denominator here. In fact, I’m ready to be bold and compare Ben Zhou’s leadership qualities to those of Winston Churchill.
Before we dive deep into the feats of Ben and Winston, it’s important to acknowledge a scenario where no leader, no matter how brilliant, can succeed: when the very foundation is rotten.
When the blood is bad, no leader can fix it.
When an organization is rooted in deception, it’s like a ticking time bomb destined to explode. One obvious example is the blood test company Theranos. If you haven’t heard the story, they promised a revolutionary technology that would allow everyone to conduct sophisticated blood tests.
Yet the entire company was built on lies—misleading customers, regulators, and even its own employees. A striking example was how Theranos presented cherry-picked samples to regulators—samples processed using outdated equipment rather than their promised revolutionary technology. When the premise itself is flawed, no leadership feat can save the operation from inevitable collapse.
If you’re curious to learn more about just how toxic the foundation at Theranos was, I highly recommend John Carreyrou’s book, "Bad Blood."
While Theranos was doomed from the start, the crises faced by Churchill and Ben Zhou were very real—and they paved the way for decisive action.
Crystal clear vision through 400,000 challenges
When both leaders realized that their respective crises hinged on the staggering number of 400,000—whether in lives at Dunkirk or digital assets at ByBit—they immediately set their sights on bold solutions.
Strikingly, both of them swiftly gathered their own dedicated strike forces. Churchill assembled his trusted military advisors in the smoke-filled Cabinet War Rooms—a secret bunker beneath London—while Zhou quickly brought together technical and financial experts via a Zoom call.
Though separated by time and context, both Churchill and Zhou demonstrated that when confronted with colossal challenges, immediate, laser-focused action is the only way forward.
Both leaders quickly created clear action plans with their teams. For Churchill, that plan was Operation Dynamo. Every available boat—military or civilian—was mobilised to rescue as many men as possible. Ben Zhou’s plan was equally decisive. His priority was to secure the platform and support every customer withdrawal that flowed in immediately after the hack.
Robust internal communication immediately set the action plan in motion. However, it was equally clear that both leaders needed to step onto the public stage to reassure and guide their communities.
Showing up with a speech or a stream
Although their communication tactics differed, both leaders took a proactive approach to connect with the public. Churchill chose to deliver a powerful speech after the Dunkirk evacuation to redefine the crisis—not as a retreat, but as a testament to resilience. He delivered an inspiring message:
'We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender!'
While Churchill’s oratory was perfectly suited to his time, Ben Zhou faced a digital landscape that demanded immediate, dynamic engagement.
Recognising that a standard PR statement wouldn’t suffice, Zhou swiftly turned to Twitter and prepped for a livestream—complete with camera lights and makeup. Although it might seem superfluous during a crisis, Zhou knew that a well-prepared livestream—complete with proper lighting and presentation—would reassure his audience and reinforce trust.
In the recently released 'When Shift Happens' podcast, he revealed that the moment he grasped the severity of the hack, he knew he had to step up personally. He was the first to assure customers that their funds were safe, effectively clearing up any speculation and doubt in real time. Rather than simply issuing a statement, Zhou engaged directly with his audience, answering questions live and even inviting team members to join the call. This decisive action was pivotal in restoring trust; once customers realised that their withdrawals would continue uninterrupted, they recognised Zhou’s incredible leadership and commitment.
Turning crisis into triumph
Churchill’s decisive actions at Dunkirk did more than a retreat—they saved a substantial fighting force. Operation Dynamo turned what could have been a catastrophic defeat into a strategic victory, preserving the lives of around 338,000 soldiers and setting the stage for Britain’s continued resistance against Nazi aggression.
Similarly, Ben Zhou’s swift actions during the ByBit hack were not just about damage control—they were a victory in trust recovery. By ensuring that customer withdrawals proceeded uninterrupted and by engaging directly with his audience, Zhou restored confidence in the platform, proving that even in the digital age, decisive leadership can turn a crisis into a rallying moment for stability.
In both cases, the true victory wasn’t just in the numbers—it was in the renewed hope and resilience that emerged. Churchill’s success became a cornerstone of national unity, while Zhou’s decisive response restored trust in an increasingly volatile digital landscape.
Ultimately, whether Churchill rallied a nation from the smoke-filled corridors of the Cabinet War Rooms or Ben Zhou reassured a global community with a swift tweet and livestream, the core principles of crisis leadership remain the same. Rapid assessment, decisive action, and transparent communication are timeless virtues. In every crisis, these qualities serve as our strongest allies.
And as we marvel at the courage and boldness of these leaders, one can’t help but wonder: what happened to the little bird rescued from that coffee shop? Did it ever dare to fly indoors again?
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