When events go badly and the various audiences begin to scrutinize Department of Defense actions and words, commanders will look to Public Affairs to determine the best way to communicate accurately and honestly. Help minimize this scrutiny and communicate as effectively as possible by understanding the most common mistakes made during this time.
Explore and avoid these nine common mistakes when handling a crisis:
Misinterpretation
Failure to interpret or understand something correctly. This can lead to confusion, wasted time and wrongful action regarding the nature and scope of an event or issue.
Presumption
To claim a problem as yours when it's not. This can lead to overstepping and confusion among the ranks of who to follow and what actions to take.
Hesitation
A delay due to uncertainty of mind or fear. This often leads audiences to perceive you as indifferent, unprepared, incompetent, confused or callous.
Obfuscation
The condition in which information is so confused or opaque or the language is confusing or ambiguous it becomes difficult to perceive or understand. This creates the perception of dishonesty and insensitivity.
Retaliation
The act of retaliating; return of like for like; reprisal. In most crises, this only serves to intensify the surrounding emotion and tension.
Prevarication
To speak falsely or misleadingly; deliberately misstate or create an incorrect impression — to lie. Nothing replaces the truth.
Pontification
To express opinions or judgments dogmatically. This creates vulnerability for the unit by taking a high-handed approach without dealing with the actual issue.
Confrontation
Discord or a clash of opinions and ideas. This gives others a platform to stand on by keeping the issue alive and giving opponents more to respond to.
Litigation
To contest or engage in legal proceedings. This almost guarantees unwanted visibility and could eliminate reasonable solutions.