Now more than ever, leaders are under more scrutiny than ever before. The digital age, characterized by the ubiquity of social media, has made it possible for anyone to voice criticism, often harsh and relentless, against leaders and their organizations. This heightened level of visibility and the ability for criticism to go viral in an instant has significantly changed the dynamics of leadership. To thrive in this environment, leaders need a new set of skills and strategies tailored to managing and overcoming these challenges. This dynamic and innovative training course, "Leadership Under Attack," is designed to equip modern leaders with the essential survival skills and techniques necessary to navigate these turbulent times.

Leaders and their organizations are frequently subjected to intense scrutiny and attack, facing criticisms that can be ugly, personal, unfair, and unrelenting. This course provides a comprehensive guide to understanding these pressures and developing effective strategies to manage and mitigate them. Throughout the course, participants will delve into the critical survival factors that today's leaders must deploy to maintain their effectiveness and resilience. With the pervasive influence of social media, leaders must be prepared to handle crises that can escalate rapidly and publicly. The seminar will explore how to manage such situations with poise and confidence, ensuring that leaders can protect their reputations and lead their organizations through adversity. The training will cover essential topics such as crisis management, effective communication, damage control, and the psychological aspects of decision-making under pressure. By understanding and implementing the ten steps that Boards should take before, during, and after a crisis, participants will be better prepared to lead their teams and organizations through challenging times. The course will also address the critical role of social media in crisis communications, helping leaders bridge any gaps and utilize these platforms effectively during a crisis.

Furthermore, the seminar will provide insights into common pitfalls and deadly behaviours that can undermine leadership during a crisis, along with strategies to overcome them. Participants will learn how to analyze incoming crisis information, deliver successful press briefings, and manage the media effectively. Real-life case studies will be examined to highlight both successful and failed leadership approaches during past crises, providing valuable lessons for future situations. By the end of this intensive five-day seminar, participants will be equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to lead with confidence, even when under attack. They will be able to develop robust crisis management plans, communicate effectively in high-pressure situations, and maintain their composure and effectiveness as leaders. This course is essential for any leader, manager, or team leader involved in crisis decision-making, as well as public relations professionals, crisis management team members, emergency response professionals, and HSSE professionals. Prepare to face the challenges of modern leadership head-on with the "Leadership Under Attack" seminar and emerge as a resilient and effective leader, ready to navigate the complexities of today's business environment.

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Develop and implement the ten essential steps the Board should take Before, During, and After a Crisis.
• Understand the reasons why good managers may fail as Crisis Leaders and how to avoid these pitfalls.
• Address and bridge any gaps in Social Media Crisis Communications.
• Effectively analyze crisis information and deliver successful press briefings.
• Recognize and mitigate the five deadly Leadership behaviors and implement the six winning strategies.

Duration: 5 Days

Who Should Attend

This training course is ideal for all Leaders, Managers, or Team Leaders involved in crisis decision-making and will greatly benefit:

• Public Relations professionals
• Crisis Management Team members
• Emergency Response professionals
• HSSE Professionals

Course Content

Day One: Diagnosis of the Issue – Understanding the Difference Between a Problem, a Crisis, and an Attack

• Preparing for unforeseen crises
• Implications of alternative facts and fake news
• Differentiating between Crisis Management and Issues Management
• Surviving attacks and determining the required response
• Demands of Social Media on Organizations
• Analyzing recent case studies

Day Two: Effective Teamwork – The 3 C's: Cooperation, Coordination & Communication

• Rapid team building in crisis situations
• Achieving situational awareness as a team
• Delegating leadership within the team
• Six crucial Social Media strategies for crisis communication within the team
• Six Ps of Team Crisis Management

Day Three: Damage Control – More Than Just Saying Sorry

• Responding when your organization has made a mistake
• Identifying and acknowledging mistakes
• Explaining actions and making amends
• Assessing harm caused by deviations from corporate policies
• Ten strategies to avoid conflict
• Understanding the impact of personality in crisis situations

Day Four: Transitioning from Line Management to Crisis Management – Decision Making

• Enhancing listening and observational skills
• Psychology of decision-making individually and collectively
• Controlling crisis information with courage and determination
• Avoiding nine habits that lead to poor decisions
• Managing perceptions effectively
• Analyzing past crises for leadership applications: Successes & Failures

Day Five: Managing the Media – "No Comment" Implies Guilt

• Conducting a difficult Press Conference
• Essential guidelines and checklists for TV Interviews
• Implementing a Reputation Management Strategy
• Case studies of crisis survivors and their strategies
• Crisis Communications Exercise – Conducting a press conference based on a given scenario