There is tremendous power in what you say. There is tremendous power in what you do not say. That power can exert both positive and negative impacts and will up-charge exponentially during a crisis. Because “the message sent is not always the message received” and because the leadership message that needed to be delivered immediately under intensely stressful conditions will be scrutinized throughout the days, weeks, and months following, this edition of PracticePoints addresses crisis leadership and communication. Your employees will go through this crisis with you or without you. Lead them!

Best,

Bruce Blythe presents an excellent analysis on the "defining moment" that occurs when a leader is faced with a crisis and how the decisions that follow will impact the long-range recovery of individuals and the organization. First published in the Facilities Management Journal (2006) this article creates a compelling case for preparedness planning. To view the article click here .

This excerpt from Gerald Lewis' book "Organizational Crisis Management: The Human Factor" makes the case that clear and credible information is a critical component for shaping an effective response to a crisis. These highly practical tips are valuable for leaders, managers and EAP professionals alike. To read the article click here .

The following article highlights essential elements that all managers should know when constructing their crisis communication plans. Authored by Mark Braverman, Partner in The Braverman Group, LLC, these concepts reinforce the value of timely, accurate messaging from leadership as a means to facilitate recovery and return to work after a workplace crisis. [read more]

Large Group Briefings can be a powerful tool for managers following a workplace tragedy. The clear, visible demonstration of leadership coupled with the delivery of important information in a compassionate and competent manner often has a calming effect. It is essential that employees see that the "leaders are leading" and are bringing valuable resources for their assistance. This short video portrays a large group briefing after a workplace homicide. In this vignette, watch for the Acknowledgment of the event and its impact, the Communication of care and compassion, and the Transition to a future-focus including self care skills. It is an excellent depiction of the ACT guidelines currently emphasized by CCN. To see the video click here video.

Dr. Robert Chandler of Pepperdine University explores the concept of Message Mapping as a framework for crisis communication, especially in large-scale events. While presented in the context of Pandemic Preparedness, this approach is easily adapted to a variety of workplace crisis situations and offers solid guidance to those tasked with the responsibility of communicating to employees and the public alike. To read the article click here . This article presented courtesy of the National Notification Network.