As a corporate leader, it’s vital to have a crisis communication plan in place. Without one, a company is left vulnerable to harm from negative publicity, legal liability, or worse. In this blog, we’ll discuss best practices for corporate leaders to navigate crisis communication.

Be Prepared & Trust Your Plan 🗂️🚨

To be ready to respond when a crisis arises, you need a plan. Your crisis communication plan should include:

  • A clear chain of command
  • Protocols for communicating with employees, customers, and other stakeholders
  • Pre-written statements on different types of crises
  • Guidelines for social media and other communication channels

Review the plan regularly, update it when necessary, and ensure that everyone who might need to participate in the crisis response is familiar with it.

A group of people gathered around a table, going over a crisis communication plan.

Act Fast, But Not Too Fast 🏃‍♂️⏰

When there’s a crisis, it’s tempting to jump into action right away. However, it’s essential to take the time to understand what’s happened and gather all the facts before launching a response. Once you’ve investigated the issue, act fast but carefully. Do not rush to respond without proper assessment.

A person rocking on a chair, contemplating their next move before responding to a crisis.

Be Transparent & Honest 📊🤥

Honesty is always the best policy. If you try to hide something or spin the facts, it will only make things worse. Be truthful and transparent, even if the news isn’t good. Communicate openly with stakeholders, and own up to your mistakes. It is far better to have transparency during a crisis.

A person with open arms, indicating transparency.

Show Empathy & Compassion 💗🤗

Amid a crisis, it’s essential to remember that you’re dealing with people who may be genuinely hurting. Show empathy and compassion in your communication. Acknowledge their feelings and concerns and be supportive of their challenges. Caution should be taken to ensure messaging does not come across insincere.

People holding hands and empathizing with each other.

Monitor the Situation ⚠️🚨

When a crisis occurs, the situation can change rapidly. It’s important to have communication channels open to your stakeholders regarding ongoing updates to the situation. Monitor social media, news outlets and ensure employees are informed of updates to the situation.

A person monitoring the news on a computer.

Conclusion

Crisis communication is all about being prepared, acting fast, being transparent and honest, and showing empathy and compassion. By following these best practices, corporate leaders can navigate crises effectively. Keeping up with these strategies will help ensure that your organization will be better prepared to face the challenges of a crisis.

A group of people together.