COMMUNICATING IN R!SK, CRISIS, AND HIGH STRESS SITUATIONS

LEARN THE UNIFYING PRINCIPLES BEHIND RISK, CRISIS, AND HIGH STRESS COMMUNICATION WITH THIS STATE-OF-THE-ART REFERENCE WRITTEN BY A MAJOR LEADER IN THE FIELD

Communicating in Risk, Crisis, and High Stress Situations: Evidence-Based Strategies and Practice is about communicating with people in the most challenging circumstances: high stress situations characterized by high risks and high stakes. The ability to communicate effectively in a high stress situation is an essential communication competency for managers, engineers, scientists, and professionals in every field who can be thrust into demanding situations complicated by stress. Whether you are confronting an external crisis, an internal emergency, or leading organizational change, this book was written for you.

Communicating in Risk, Crisis, and High Stress Situations brings together in one resource proven scientific research with practical, hands-on guidance from a world leader in the field. The book covers such critical topics as trust, stakeholder engagement, misinformation, messaging, and audience perceptions in the context of stress. This book is uniquely readable, thorough, and useful, thanks to features that include:

• Evidence-based theories and concepts that underlie and guide practice
• Tools and guidelines for practical and effective planning and application
• Experience-based advice for facing challenges posed by mainstream and social media
• Provocative case studies that bring home the key principles and strategies
• Illuminating case diaries that use the author's breadth and depth of experience to create extraordinary learning opportunities

The book is a necessity for managers, engineers, scientists, and others who must communicate difficult technical concepts to a concerned public. It also belongs on the bookshelves of leaders and communicators in public and private sector organizations looking for a one-stop reference and evidence-based practical guide for communicating effectively in emotionally charged situations. Written by a highly successful academic, consultant, and trainer, the book is also designed as a resource for training and education.

Autorentext

VINCENT T. COVELLO, PhD, is a leading expert in risk, crisis, and high stress communications. He is currently Director of the Center for Risk Communication in New York City, an organization that applies evidence-based knowledge to a wide range of high concern, high stakes situations. He has served as a senior adviser to the World Health Organization, the US Department of Health and Human Services, the US Environmental Protection Agency, the US Department of Agriculture, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and other national and international organizations. Over the past 40 years, Dr. Covello has published more than 150 scientific articles on risk, crisis, and high stress communications.

Klappentext

COMMUNICATING IN R!SK, CRISIS, AND HIGH STRESS SITUATIONS LEARN THE UNIFYING PRINCIPLES BEHIND RISK, CRISIS, AND HIGH STRESS COMMUNICATION WITH THIS STATE-OF-THE-ART REFERENCE WRITTEN BY A MAJOR LEADER IN THE FIELD Communicating in Risk, Crisis, and High Stress Situations: Evidence-Based Strategies and Practice is about communicating with people in the most challenging circumstances: high stress situations characterized by high risks and high stakes. The ability to communicate effectively in a high stress situation is an essential communication competency for managers, engineers, scientists, and professionals in every field who can be thrust into demanding situations complicated by stress. Whether you are confronting an external crisis, an internal emergency, or leading organizational change, this book was written for you. Communicating in Risk, Crisis, and High Stress Situations brings together in one resource proven scientific research with practical, hands-on guidance from a world leader in the field. The book covers such critical topics as trust, stakeholder engagement, misinformation, messaging, and audience perceptions in the context of stress. This book is uniquely readable, thorough, and useful, thanks to features that include: * Evidence-based theories and concepts that underlie and guide practice * Tools and guidelines for practical and effective planning and application * Experience-based advice for facing challenges posed by mainstream and social media * Provocative case studies that bring home the key principles and strategies * Illuminating case diaries that use the author's breadth and depth of experience to create extraordinary learning opportunities The book is a necessity for managers, engineers, scientists, and others who must communicate difficult technical concepts to a concerned public. It also belongs on the bookshelves of leaders and communicators in public and private sector organizations looking for a one-stop reference and evidence-based practical guide for communicating effectively in emotionally charged situations. Written by a highly successful academic, consultant, and trainer, the book is also designed as a resource for training and education.

Inhalt

A Note from the Series Editor xiii

Acknowledgments xv

Author Biography xvii

1 The Critical Role of Risk, High Concern, and Crisis Communication 1

1.1 Case Diary: A Collision of Facts and Perceptions 2

1.2 What Will Readers Find in This Book? 3

1.3 Why You Will Use This Book 4

1.4 The Need for This Book - Now 5

1.4.1 New Literature, New Research 5

1.4.2 Changes in the Communications Landscape 6

1.4.3 Changes in Journalism and the Perception of Facts 7

1.4.4 Changes in Laws, Regulations, and Societal Expectations 7

1.4.5 Changes in Concerns about Health, Safety, and the Environment 7

1.4.6 Changes in Levels of Trust 7

1.4.7 Changes in the Global Political Environment 8

1.4.8 The COVID- 19 Pandemic and the Changed Communication Landscape 8

2 Core Concepts 11

2.1 Case Diary: Recognizing Change as a High Concern Issue 11

2.2 Defining the Concept and Term Risk 13

2.3 Defining the Concept and Term Risk Communication 14

2.4 Risk Communication and Its Relationship to Risk Analysis 17

2.5 Defining the Concepts and Terms High Concern and High Concern Communication 19

2.6 Defining the Concept and Term Crisis 22

2.7 Defining the Concept and Term Crisis Communication 24

2.8 Chapter Resources 25

Endnotes 31

3 An Overview of Risk Communication 33

3.1 Case Diary: Complex Issues Destroy Homes 33

3.2 Challenges and Difficulties Faced in Communicating Risk Information 35

3.2.1 Characteristics and Limitations of Scientific and Technical Data about Risks 35

3.2.2 Characteristics and Limitations of Spokespersons in Communicating Information about Risks 35

3.2.2.1 Case Study: "Go Hard, Go Early": Risk Communication Lessons from New Zealand's Response to COVID-19 37

3.2.3 Characteristics and Limitations of Risk Management Regulations and Standards 41

3.2.3.1 Debates and Disagreements 41

3.2.3.2 Limited Resources for Risk Assessment and Management 41

3.2.3.3 Underestimating the Difficulty of and Need for Risk Communication 42

3.2.3.4 Lack of Coordination and Collaboration 42

3.2.4 Characteristics and Limitations of Traditional Media Channels in Communicating Information about Risks 42

3.2.5 Characteristics and Limitations of Social Media Channels in Communicating Information about Risks 43

3.2.6 Characteristics and Limitations of People in their Ability to Evaluate and Interpret Risk Information 44

3.3 Changes in How the Brain Processes Information Under Conditions of High Stress 48

3.4 Risk Communication Theory 49

3.4.1 Trust Determination Theory 49

3.4.2 Negative Dominance Theory 50

3.4.3 Mental Noise Theory 50

3.4.4 Risk Perception Theory 50

3.5 Risk Communication Principles and Guidelines 55

3.5.1 Principle 1. Acce…