{"id":793,"date":"2024-10-17T16:33:57","date_gmt":"2024-10-17T20:33:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thechangemakers.com\/insight\/are-you-ready-for-the-next-crisis-2\/"},"modified":"2025-05-22T11:53:34","modified_gmt":"2025-05-22T15:53:34","slug":"are-you-ready-for-the-next-crisis-2","status":"publish","type":"insight","link":"https:\/\/thechangemakers.com\/us\/insight\/are-you-ready-for-the-next-crisis-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Are you ready for the next crisis?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Are you ready for the next crisis?<\/h1><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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In our rapidly shaping and shifting world, there is nothing more important than strong leadership. An organization can get along without it in a status quo environment \u2013 but the moment crisis rears its head, leaders are needed. Leaders who project strength, communicate clearly and show empathy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s one thing we can be sure of in volatile times: it\u2019s not a question of \u201cif\u201d the next crisis will come, it\u2019s \u201cwhen\u201d. So, building competency in crisis communications should be a priority for every company and every leader. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Understanding crisis communications management <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Crisis was once a term reserved for headline-grabbing events such as oil spills, plane crashes, large corporate scandals or major economic volatility. But in today\u2019s deeply interconnected world, information is available to many different audiences, each with their own priorities. This means something that was previously a minor issue \u2013 only of interest to people inside or close to a company \u2013 can now be disseminated worldwide in an instant, finding that audience to whom it matters most. A small slipup can impact a company\u2019s reputation and do lasting damage, sometimes more than a major event. Accounting mistakes, social justice issues, supply chain disruptions, privacy and cybersecurity, geopolitical events and workplace dynamics are just a few issues leaders need to navigate today. And they must navigate very quickly and very publicly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key elements of crisis communications and management <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At ChangeMakers, we focus on five key elements<\/strong> that leaders need in a crisis: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vision:<\/strong> Communicating a clear and compelling vision for your organization. Your stakeholders \u2013 the public, employees, shareholders \u2013 need to know your continued purpose and motivation regardless of the circumstances. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Agility:<\/strong> Adapting quickly to ever-changing circumstances and making decisions based on incomplete or uncertain information and communicating well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Empathy:<\/strong> Showing an understanding of the lived experience and responding to the needs of your employees, customers and other stakeholders. Empathy and compassion should be visible in all communication. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Resilience:<\/strong> Demonstrating you can manage these setbacks and maintain a composed and calm demeanour throughout, while supporting others through transparent and open communication. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Collaboration:<\/strong> Working quickly to use your networks to find solutions to complex situations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With so much at risk, more should be done to prepare. <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A recent poll of executives* who\u2019ve experienced crisis events shows that: <\/p>\n\n\n\n