Crisis Prevention Strategies, Essay Example

Crisis prevention strategies require that schools have a crisis spokesperson, who will develop and maintain close relationships with the media, parents, and students. Choosing the right spokesperson is critically important for effective crisis resolution. The more professional the spokesperson is, the more likely the school is to resolve its crisis issues on time. To begin with, the spokesperson must possess skills necessary to deal with the media. These include verbal and nonverbal communication skills, public speaking skills, and (preferably) the basic skills in journalism. All these will help the spokesperson establish effective relationships with all parties involved in crisis.

A good spokesperson should be able to develop trustful relationships with all parties, including the media. That means that a good spokesperson will avoid deception or manipulation. Honesty and openness are the critical elements of crisis resolution in schools. Even if there is no definite answer to a crisis question or intervention, the spokesperson’s main obligation is to recognize the truth and to find the answer. Of course, in any crisis situation, regardless of its seriousness and extent, the spokesperson is expected to have a reasonable explanation, the plan of interventions, and non-emotional ideas and suggestions. Panic and emotional loss are not the best friends of a school crisis.

A professional spokesperson will monitor the development and resolution of the crisis, to be able to report the progress to the media and other parties, including parents and students. No matter how difficult the situation is, the spokesperson will have to remain calm and restrain from aggressive claims or suggestions. A good spokesperson will always know how much information to reveal. A good spokesperson will not show anger or frustration in public. The combination of good communication skills, emotional balance, honesty, and professionalism is what makes a spokesperson the critical element of crisis resolution in schools.