Working well in uncertainty and chaos
Everyday we hope for the predictability that will give us some comfort. Yet the world is ever changing and particularly at the moment brings regular challenges to confront. It is a level of uncertainty and chaos that humans dislike. This is something I have been wrestling with after a change in my personal circumstances. Where I wanted life to run smoothly I suddenly have a big bump in the road.
This is something we all need to become better at accepting and managing in our working lives. Any organisation can be placed at the centre of an incident in seconds, think about the Astronomer incident recently. There will also be a clamour for information about what has happened when there will be gaps and not much known. So how do we become more comfortable in making decisions in such difficult times?
Here are four things I think can help when you are facing a challenging change in circumstances.
Take a step back and take a deep breath - this can help you to relax rather than feeling forced to rush in with a solution.
Consider what you know to be fact and where the gaps in knowledge are - this will help you to understand what the future may hold and how things may develop.
Focus on what you can do now - while you do want to think about the future be focused more on what needs to be done now.
Remember you are doing your best - there is rarely a simple right or wrong answer and it is about doing what you can and being comfortable you have done your best.
The world increasingly wants people to feel there is a simple right or wrong, good or bad to events and what happens. But the reality is that life is complex and situations that we face are complex. Dealing with uncertainty and chaos is part of the human experience whether it is at home or at work. Keeping your head to make decisions is the one thing we can do.
Questionnaire on gender and crisis response roles
A new survey has been launched looking for details of lived experience of those working in crisis management and communication. What are the lived experiences of those working in crisis response and are they the same regardless of gender? The survey aims to identify the experiences and analyse what the mean for the profession today and importantly in the future. If a new generation are to be encouraged into the emergency response world and will remain what are the conditions that are needed.
The survey aims to give a position in 2025 with a view to tracking any changes in the coming years as well as identifying any areas for further research or action.
The survey will be open until the end of September and results will be shared later this year. Find the survey here.
Ten crisis communication pitfalls
If you have ever wondered what the common mistakes and pitfalls are for crisis communication Amanda has shared her top ten. Check it out on LinkedIn here.
Training Update
There are just three planned training sessions as part of Amanda’s programme of training left in 2025. In September the focus is on social media, fake news and how to operate quickly in the digital world. In October the subject will be getting the most from working with the media and the final session in November will focus on effective crisis communication messaging. There may also be another crisis communication simulation following a successful session on 13 August. If you are interested in any of the sessions that cost just £60 for the two hours email office@amandacolemancomms.co.uk
In Brief:
Fiji is establishing a rapid response team that will be brought in when an emergency or disaster happens. Find out more here.
After the Texas floods there is package of legislation aimed at improving flood response that is moving through the Texas house. Find out more here.
Following floods in India, travel operators are being advised to be crisis ready to safeguard travellers. Read more here.
A new article in Nature has considered a framework for risk assessment in a world that his affected by polycrises. Read more here.
The Times shared claims in leaked letter that airlines have lost confidence in management at Heathrow Airport following a number of incidents. Find the article here (behind paywall).
Amanda wrote a recent blog about the move to influence senior leaders and be a strategic advisor in a crisis. Read more here.
The latest crisis communication case study - Testing Times - is now available on Amanda’s website here.
Employee burnout is said to be on the rise with a need for organisations and businesses to focus on staff welfare. Read more from HR Executive here.
Diary Dates:
Amanda is attending the Emergency Services Show on 18 September and will be on the Protecting the Protectors stage at midday talking about building resilience. If you are attending come and say hello. Find out more here.
On 16 September Amanda will be running the popular half day Developing a Communication Strategy training on behalf of the PRCA. Find out more here.
Also on 16 September Amanda will provide a webinar on Crisis Management on behalf of the PRCA. Find out details of the session here.
Some really useful advice for these testing / doomscrolling times - useful on a personal & professional level (as if those two things aren't really merged anyway?). Thank you.