Simulations are one of the most effective ways to prepare your organization for a crisis. They build readiness, clarify roles, strengthen relationships, and help teams respond with speed and confidence when it matters most. As a crisis communicator, you already know this. But getting your leadership team to see the value – and sign off on the time, budget, and attention required – can be a challenge.
To win executive buy-in, start by grounding your proposal in a clear needs analysis. Identify where your organization stands today versus where it needs to be, and use that gap to define specific, measurable objectives for your training. When leadership sees that the exercise is solving a real problem, it becomes easier to justify the investment.
Be transparent and precise about what you’re asking for. That includes the full budget – no hidden costs – along with the time commitment, who needs to be involved, and a general idea of the scenario you plan to use. You don’t need to give away every detail, but showing that the topic is relevant and well-considered helps build trust. If leadership pushes back, be ready to explain what scaling back would mean for outcomes.
Put your case in writing. Don’t rely on memory or chance meetings in hallways. A well-structured written proposal allows you to clearly lay out your objectives, explain what success looks like, anticipate concerns, and describe how you’ll overcome them.
Even with all that, some leaders may still need an extra nudge. That’s when it helps to show the return on investment, both for the organization and for them personally. Will it reduce risk, improve response, or prepare them for board scrutiny during a future crisis? Great. Will it also boost their reputation, make them look proactive, or avoid a repeat of a previous uncomfortable situation? Even better. Make it relevant to them, not just the organization.
If you need to go further, don’t be afraid to use a little drama. Show a fake news headline with your company’s name in a crisis scenario, and ask, “How would we handle this?” Or ask your CEO to imagine a future where a crisis went well. “What would make you proud of how we responded?” Build your training around that vision.
Ultimately, this isn’t just about getting a yes. It’s about helping your leaders understand that simulations aren’t an optional extra … they’re a strategic investment in resilience. With the right framing and preparation, your leadership team won’t just approve the training – they’ll be fully behind it.
Kith facilitates crisis preparedness workshops that will help your company attain the clarity, trust, and speed you need to respond confidently – no dithering! – to any crisis. We’d be happy to have a conversation about how we can help your company be ready to chart an effective course to reputation protection.
Looking for more fresh insights? Crisis of the Month is a no-fluff Substack that breaks down real-world crises and what they teach us about leadership, communication, and damage control. Whether you’re in comms, ops, or just crisis-curious, this is your monthly guide to what went wrong — and how to do it better. Sign up today!
