What do you do if your team in Strategic Communications is facing a major crisis?

1 Assess the situation

The first step in any crisis is to assess the situation and gather as much information as possible. What is the nature, scope and impact of the crisis? Who are the affected parties and what are their expectations and concerns? How is the crisis affecting your team's morale, performance and resources? What are the potential risks and opportunities for your organization and your team? By answering these questions, you can identify the key issues, priorities and goals for your crisis response.

2 Develop a strategy

The next step is to develop a strategy for your crisis communication. This means defining your objectives, messages, audiences, channels, tactics and timelines. Your strategy should be aligned with your organization's mission, vision and values, as well as the needs and interests of your stakeholders. Your strategy should also be flexible and adaptable to changing circumstances and feedback. You should consult with your team members, senior management, legal advisors and other relevant experts to ensure your strategy is sound and feasible.

3 Communicate with your team

One of the most important aspects of crisis management is to communicate with your team. Your team members are your most valuable assets and allies in a crisis. They need to know what is happening, why it is happening, what they need to do and how they can help. You should communicate with your team regularly, honestly and transparently. You should also listen to their feedback, concerns and suggestions. You should provide them with clear roles, responsibilities and expectations, as well as support, recognition and appreciation.

4 Communicate with your stakeholders

Another crucial aspect of crisis management is to communicate with your stakeholders. Your stakeholders are the people or groups who have an interest or influence in your organization or the crisis. They may include customers, clients, partners, media, regulators, competitors, employees, investors, donors and others. You should communicate with your stakeholders proactively, consistently and empathetically. You should acknowledge the situation, explain the actions you are taking, address the questions and issues they may have, and express your commitment and accountability.

5 Monitor and evaluate

The last step in crisis management is to monitor and evaluate your crisis communication. This means tracking the progress, results and outcomes of your strategy and tactics. You should use various tools and methods to measure the effectiveness, efficiency and impact of your communication. You should also collect feedback from your team members, stakeholders and other sources to assess the strengths, weaknesses and areas for improvement of your communication. You should use this data and feedback to adjust and refine your communication as needed.