Crisis Leadership Blog

Insights and perspectives on being the lighthouse during a crisis.
When Controversy Snowballs into Crisis

When Controversy Snowballs into Crisis

The Washington Post has been shaking things up lately, especially in its opinion section. Owner Jeff Bezos just announced a shift to focus on "personal liberties and free markets," which led to the resignation of respected opinion editor David Shipley.  This move,...

read more
(Un)Welcoming a One-Drink Minimum Policy

(Un)Welcoming a One-Drink Minimum Policy

A few weeks ago, Starbucks announced that it would be ending its open-door policy, which allowed people to use the store's seating and restrooms even if they didn't make a purchase. The company stated that the change was made to "enhance" the customer experience....

read more
When an Apology Isn’t an Apology

When an Apology Isn’t an Apology

Saying “I’m sorry” shouldn’t be hard. When we say or do something that hurts someone else, then we as humans should own it, apologize for it, and try to make it right. But, many public apologies seem to miss this relatively easy target. Is someone sincerely...

read more

By definition, Kith means a cadre of peers who shape opinions and attitudes while instilling sophisticated habits for action. As a way to live this value, we like to share resources that are building blocks to good crisis management and can help you start the path of protecting your reputation.

More Recent Insights
How to Dig Out of a Mess of Your Own Creation
How to Dig Out of a Mess of Your Own Creation

The headlines were unsettling, not shocking at first. But when UnitedHealth, the healthcare behemoth responsible for processing 50 percent of all US patient medical claims annually, revealed it was the victim of a ransomware attack described as “the most serious incident leveled against a US healthcare organization,” alarm bells went off everywhere. ...

read more
When a Publicity Stunt Backfires
When a Publicity Stunt Backfires

There are times (April Fool’s Day, I’m looking at you) when a company decides to pull a publicity stunt to see how big a splash they can make. They engage in intentional misrepresentation – of their business’ product, service, or brand – pushed out as a cheeky, hardy-har-har prank. Sometimes the joke lands, but other times it backfires. Regardless of how...

read more
Are You Warm Blooded or Cold Blooded?
Are You Warm Blooded or Cold Blooded?

At Kith, we often say that a crisis does not develop your leadership skills – it reveals them. It also reveals what type of creature you are: warm blooded or cold blooded.  Now, obviously, humans are warm blooded as a matter of biology, so what we’re really asking you to consider is more about your “creature” style as a leader-communicator when faced with...

read more
The Three Behaviors that Feed a Crisis: Ostrich Effect
The Three Behaviors that Feed a Crisis: Ostrich Effect

Do you think you know what causes a reputational crisis? At least have a good guess? I’m here to tell you that it’s likely not what you think. It's a lack of preparation.   There is that pithy statement that you see on notepads, signs on desks, and as gifs – lack of preparation on your part does not necessitate an emergency on mine. When it comes to crisis...

read more
Don’t Stumble over Something behind You
Don’t Stumble over Something behind You

These words are frequently attributed to the Ancient Roman stoic Seneca the Younger. They still ring true 2,000 years later. When it comes to managing a crisis, they are both a warning and a reason for leadership to move forward. Speed is the single most important difference between good and great crisis response. Anything that creates unnecessary friction...

read more
Pump up the Volume
Pump up the Volume

Every time I open up LinkedIn, PR Week, or the Wall Street Journal, I see someone writing about AI and the immense change that it is having on the communications industry -- everything from how we create to how we spot fake news to how we staff. One issue that I haven’t seen discussed much is how the mere existence of AI needs to change the VOLUME that...

read more
Then Came the Lawyers …
Then Came the Lawyers …

I still chuckle and roll my eyes when the latest prescription drug ad says, “Don’t take Wonderdrug if you're allergic to it.” Well, duh.  Welcome to the disclaimer pantheon compelling us to write “Caution: Hot” on coffee cups. “Do not attempt” accompanies any example of off-road driving a car is specifically designed and marketed to do. “Contains peanuts”...

read more
What Makes a Successful Crisis Simulation
What Makes a Successful Crisis Simulation

“Practice makes perfect,” the saying goes. When it comes to crisis management, “practice makes prepared.” Periodic crisis exercises help teams build muscle memory, remember their crisis response plans, and identify gaps in that plan, the skill set, or the people responsible for executing it. Far better to find out there’s a critical flaw in your crisis...

read more
Litigation Threats Are Invitations for Legal and Comms to Work Together
Litigation Threats Are Invitations for Legal and Comms to Work Together

Few words bring a C-Suite conversation to a screeching halt like, “We need to think about litigation.” Instead of killing the conversation, it should start a conversation … between the legal team and the communications team.  Attorneys’ primary goal is to limit their clients’ exposure to legal liability. Communications teams’ primary goal is to limit...

read more
The Value of Saying I’m Sorry … from a Canadian
The Value of Saying I’m Sorry … from a Canadian

If you’ve spoken to me for more than five minutes, you know I’m Canadian – also American – but I was Canadian first and very proud of it. Every stereotype of Canadians includes that we like to say sorry: to each other, visitors, inanimate objects, and so on. Move away for a while and you’ll quickly realize that it’s true. Canadians are by and large nice,...

read more

The Kith Method

Good crisis management comes from a plan. Great crisis management comes from capability – and starts before you even smell smoke. That’s why we developed the Kith Method. We can help build and maintain a flexible capability that works for you.

Your reputation is an investment; time-consuming and costly to build and expensive to repair. Protect it.