I recently published a blog post discussing when it is OK to implement an offensive crisis management strategy. After writing the post, I received the following comment from a reader:
“Part of your best defense is a good offense.”
While this little saying is well known and has its purposes, I’d like to examine its implication and particular relevance in your organization’s crisis management.
Before continuing to read, if you’d like to know my stance on when it is and is not appropriate to take an offensive position in crisis management, click here.
Should this saying be part of your crisis management mindset?
What I like about this saying is that it implies a proactive mindset. What I don’t like about it, is that it has a connotation of hostility – and hostility should take not part in any aspect of your crisis management.
So to me, while I wouldn’t use this saying as a mantra for crisis management, I would perhaps use it (very lightly) to imply adapting a proactive crisis preparedness mindset. One that aims to block crises or issues from ever occurring in the first place. Now this, is a positive and beneficial mindset to have!
How do you block crises from happening in the first place?
By integrating strong issues management into your corporate culture and by adapting the right mindset for crisis prevention and crisis preparedness.
Want to learn more about how to do these things?
Check out these two recent articles I wrote:
- The Correlation Between Corporate Culture and Successful Crisis Management
- Make Issues Management an Integral Part of your Corporate Culture
What about you? Do you think this saying applies to your crisis management and, if so, how?
Image credit: Pete Saloutos/shutterstock.com
Author of Crisis Ready: Building an Invincible Brand in an Uncertain World, Melissa Agnes is a leading authority on crisis preparedness, reputation management, and brand protection. Agnes is a coveted keynote speaker, commentator, and advisor to some of today’s leading organizations faced with the greatest risks. Learn more about Melissa and her work here.
Crisis management ‘is’ public relations and so is public relations crisis management – going on the offensive undermines both.
Public relations is one aspect / component of crisis management. Though I agree that going on the offensive can undermine both and should be carefully considered well before a crisis ever occurs. So as to say, the team should ask itself: under what types of situations would we consider going on the offensive, and why? What are the determining factors / indicators of these situations? What are our boundaries? Etc.
Thanks for weighing in, Edward!
Absolutely an offensive strategy may be best depending on situation, mostly when facing false accusations. When you have the black hat on you can’t succeed by saying it’s really gray. Want an example? Savefamilyfarming.org
Hi Gerald,
Is savefamilyfarming.com an offensive strategy or simply a proactive one? It’s an interesting line between the two and I don’t know enough about the campaign to say for sure. Though it seems like a great initiative, none-the-less!
In the sports realm, having a good offense requires planning, studying and ultimately preparation. I believe that the same key components are imperative to a successful crisis management plan. By fully analyzing the crisis possibilities and preparing your company and its stakeholders, your company can be better equipped to react when necessary. I am currently working on research in the area of pre-crisis preparation. I’d be happy to share my results when the report is finalized.
I couldn’t agree with you more, Kalani. And I’d be happy to see the results of your research. Thank you for the offer!
I need information about advantages of an offensive handling strategy
I don’t exactly know what you’re looking for, but if it’s of use, here’s a link to another article I wrote on the subject: http://melissaagnes.com/when-is-it-ok-to-implement-an-offensive-crisis-management-strategy/
Best of luck,
Melissa