Seth Kahan on Leadership // Monday Morning Mojo
Communication Under Pressure
Pressure can come from a variety of sources both planned (meeting with VIP stakeholder), and unplanned (natural or manmade disaster).

For leaders, high-stress situations are inevitable. Many rise to the occasion, channeling energy to serve their performance. Your needs will vary depending on your circumstances and intents. Here are six guidelines:

1. Be proactive rather than responsive.
Have a plan for how to support yourself when the stakes are high. With a plan, you can eliminate lag time, the time between awareness and intended action. This advantage can make all the difference between success and failure, putting your goals and intentions in the driver’s seat.

2. Know who’s on your team.
Identify your key players. Have explicit agreements with them about what roles they will play and how you will work together. When the heat is on, they will be your support system and infrastructure for action.

3. Plan for action, establish protocols.
Talk in advance about your needs, whether it’s coordinating response teams and media relations, or working together behind the scenes to answer questions and come up with solutions. An emergency is no excuse for sloppy thought or action.

Spend time running possible scenarios and discussing how the team will work together. Establish the proper connections both above and below your office. Be ready to work with your team to (a) evaluate the situation, (b) establish key messages, and (c) choose your channels.

4. Know your stakeholders and their specific needs.
Every communication plan is customized to meet the needs of its audiences. Everyone who is impacted by your action is a stakeholder. Identify these groups in advance; understand the media they prefer for communication. For very important audiences, build relationships that you can depend on before the pressure is on.

5. Get media training.
When the media is involved, your actions (or lack of action) will be amplified and have significant impact on all sides. Professional training is available, and valuable -- don't wait.

6. Take an improv course.
Theatrical improv teaches you to ride energy, to take what's served - no matter how offbeat or unflattering - and turn it to your advantage. It engages the entire body as your instrument. These two practices, the judo of safely channeling chaotic energy and tapping your entire being, are powerful allies when it comes to landing on your feet in a challenging situation.
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