Building Higher Ed Crisis Management and Communication Muscle

Changing Higher Ed

Higher education institutions are facing a perfect storm of challenges that demand robust crisis management skills. From campus protests reminiscent of the 1960s to the lightning-fast spread of information (and misinformation) on social media, colleges and universities are navigating treacherous waters. How can they stay afloat – and even thrive – in this turbulent environment?

Crisis Management in Higher Education: Strategies for Institutional Resilience

Dr. Drumm McNaughton, CEO of The Change Leader higher education consulting firm, and guest Stephanie Craig, President of Kith crisis preparation, response, and recovery firm, discuss essential strategies for building crisis management and communication capabilities in higher education institutions.

Key Discussion Points

Higher Education's Unique Crisis Management Challenges:

• The complex stakeholder environment in higher education is reminiscent of the turbulent 1960s but with added dimensions of social media and 24-hour news cycles.
• The impact of poorly handled crises on various aspects of institutional operations, from student recruitment to donor confidence.

Building Crisis Management Muscle: The PIP2 Approach:

• Plan: Develop comprehensive crisis strategies and response protocols.
• Invest: Allocating resources for crisis preparedness, including training and technology.
• Practice: Conducting regular crisis simulations to identify weaknesses and build muscle memory.
• Prioritize: Embedding crisis preparedness in institutional culture at all levels.

The Clarity + Trust = Speed Formula:

• Clarity: Ensuring a clear understanding of institutional mission, values, and stakeholder priorities.
• Trust: Building trust within crisis management teams and with key stakeholders.
• Speed: Responding quickly and decisively to crises without sacrificing accuracy.

Stakeholder Management in Higher Education Crises:

• Navigating the diverse and often conflicting interests of multiple stakeholder groups.
• Tailoring communication strategies to different stakeholder needs and preferences.

The Role of Leadership and Second-Level Thinking:

• The importance of leadership visibility and engagement during crises.
• Employing "second-level thinking" to anticipate the ripple effects of decisions and communications.

Integrating Risk Management and Crisis Communication:

• The collaboration between risk management and communication teams.
• Breaking down silos to ensure comprehensive crisis response strategies.

Opportunities in Crisis: Catalysts for Institutional Innovation:

• Recognizing crises as potential drivers of positive change and innovation.
• Examples of institutional transformation sparked by crisis situations.

Three Key Takeaways for Higher Education Presidents and Boards

1. Invest in crisis management now, prioritizing preparation as a matter of urgency.
2. Implement the PIP2 approach (Plan, Invest, Practice, Prioritize) to build crisis management muscle.
3. Adopt the Clarity + Trust = Speed formula for effective crisis response.

Read the transcript on our website at: https://changinghighered.com/ building-higher-ed-crisis-management-and-communication-muscle/

#HigherEducation #HigherEdRiskManagement #CrisisManagement

About Our Podcast Guest

Stephanie Craig is the President of Kith.co, where she provides strategic guidance and solutions for high-stakes issues and challenges faced by C-suite executives, high-profile organizations, and elected officials. She has built her reputation as a crisis expert by guiding some of the world’s most prominent people and organizations through their most trying moments. Combining her deep experience in politics, media, and business, she mitigates crises, repairs reputations, and inoculates against future crises. Stephanie has counted former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, the mayor of the nation’s 10th largest city, and some of the most notable global brands, as well as institutes of higher education, as clients. Stephanie is a prolific author on topics including crisis communications, reputational management, political communication, the intersection of law and communications, and entrepreneurship. If asked, she’ll even talk about being born in the Arctic.

About the Host

Dr. Drumm McNaughton is the founder, CEO, and Principal Consultant at The Change Leader, Inc. A highly sought-after higher education consultant with 20+ years of experience, Dr. McNaughton works with leadership, management, and boards of both U.S. and international institutions. His expertise spans key areas, including accreditation, governance, strategic planning, presidential onboarding, mergers, acquisitions, and strategic alliances. Dr. McNaughton’s approach combines a holistic methodology with a deep understanding of the contemporary and evolving challenges facing higher education institutions worldwide to ensure his clients succeed in their mission.