A crisis can put tremendous stress—organizationally and psychologically—on leaders; stress that can be alleviated through strategic planning and preparation. Select one of the three focused breakouts below to delve deeper into a topic. Each track includes an “Application” component designed to provide an opportunity to practice your new knowledge and skills.

Track 1: Preparing for Contentious Conversations

Learning:

During periods of significant change or crisis, there are unavoidable high stakes encounters with key stakeholders that can present significant risk to an institution and its leadership. They are also the situations in which the reputation of the institution and its relationships with its critical stakeholders can either be strengthened or severely damaged.

In this session we leverage the tools and tricks of traditional media training including the development of public speaking skills, an awareness of body language and appearance, and the reinforcement and practice of consistent messaging to help you connect with stakeholders in meaningful ways under the most difficult of circumstances.

We’ll cover:

• the expectations and information needs of the range of stakeholders who are critical to the institution’s long-term success
• engagement through storytelling

We’ll also discuss techniques and tools that build connections and de-escalate heated situations including:

• The importance of and approaches to demonstrate active listening
• Understanding deeper and, perhaps, unstated stakeholder needs and perspectives
• Reflecting compassion and empathy in your speech and demeanor
• Reading the room and adapting your approach in the moment
• Identifying appropriate “venting” versus indicators of possible violence

Application:

“Stress-test” your new skills through simulated interviews and/or town hall-style questioning to ensure that you are:

• responding in a way that meets stakeholder expectations
• adhering to core messaging
• using bridging techniques
• controlling voice and body language

Track 2: Active Shooter—Planning for the Unthinkable

Learning:

Daily headlines remind us of the threat and impact of violence in our communities. Active shooter events are horrific, sudden, and high-profile and can have a profound impact on students, parents, faculty, and staff and the trust they have in the safety of their classrooms, residences, and workplaces. Understandably, with each new incident in the news, the concern on campuses grows as does the pressure on leaders to take action to prevent violent acts and keep communities safer. Yet few schools have adequately prepared beyond tactical training for police departments and ambiguous statements in their handbooks about workplace violence.

In this session we focus not on the role of operational responders such as the police but on the role of leadership. We’ll help you understand the steps you can take now to develop a broad and holistic approach to mitigate, respond to, and manage the impacts and consequences of this most troubling of risks. We’ll explore best practice and lessons learned from peer institutions that will help your community:

• Prepare by Building for an Effective Response
• Respond to Meet the Immediate Needs of Your Community
• Recover by Providing the Emotional, Humanitarian, and Strategic Support Necessary to Move Forward

Application:

Participate in a brief Table-Top Scenario to test your knowledge and new skills, focusing on:

• The urgency and high pressure of a real-time active shooter scenario
• Meeting the needs of stakeholders and all their possible concerns
• The impacts of and recovery after the crisis