The “First 15 Minutes” checklist

The “First 15 Minutes” crisis management checklist:

• focus on the current matter.
• become the trusted voice in this crisis. Designate a crisis team.
• monitor in real-time what the media has to say on the topic.
• get a deeper understanding of the scope of the issue and the vital decisions to be made.
• prepare an initial 'holding statement' in order to make your opinion pubic. Make sure the statement goes viral fast.
• document well before speaking publicly. 

• show humanity, compassion, and concern for any human toll – and mean it. 

• follow up on everything that you have engaged yourself to fulfill.

As a leader, when facing a crisis, you have to adopt the best position in order to ensure the efficiency of your action. And, most importantly, this action has to be taken as fast as possible. 

The first 15 minutes after having found out about a crisis, you should be ready to provide a s...